i LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, t 






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ityut <z=z/V<j,. \ 



{UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.!; 



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1,6. lit- Bailey's Series of Practical Masonry. 

. , * .. 

THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER'S 

SPECIAL HELP; 

A MONITOR FOR 

THE MASTER OF THE LODGE ; 



CONTAINING 



All information proper to be published, which is necessary 
to qualify him for the important duties of his station. 



u If a man vow a vow unto the Lord, or swear an oath to 
bind his soul with a bond, he shall not break his word; he 
shall do according to cdl that proceedeth out of his mouth" — 
Numbers xxx. 2. 



'I^- 



CHIC AGO, ILLINOIS: 

PUBLISHED BY BROTHER J. C. "W. BAILEY, 

Northwestern Masonic Publishing House, 162 & 164 Clark SL 
1866 









Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1866, 

BY J. C. W. BAILEY, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United 
States for the Northern District of Illinois. 



THE PUBLISHER'S PREFACE. 

"Whatsoever cloth make manifest, is light/' says the 
Sacred Record. We make the application ; he to whom all 
look for instruction should be well instructed ; to whom all 
look for light should himself be enlightened. 

" To make manifest" is emphatically the Master's business ; 
to make manifest the emblems, the covenants, the dramatic 
ceremonies, the entire ends and aims of the Masonic institu- 
tion. A grand and exalted privilege ; a weighty and re- 
sponsible charge. 

One who has been successively Master of several Lodges 
and tripped at the stumbling blocks which lie in that dark 
and difficult path, offers in the present volume, the results of 
his own experience and, through large communications with 
his fellows, the experience of many others. There is 
nothing advised in this volume that has not been tried; 
nothing been tried that has not succeeded. 

The wirst of all the errors into which the many dull and 
discouraged Lodge Masters run, is that of continuing in the 
rut made by their predecessors. Nothing good can be ex- 
pected from a Master who feels bound to follow every usage, 
right or wrong, established by those who have occupied the 



± PUBLISHER'S PERFACE. 

East before him.. If a man who has been elected by the 
free suffrage of his brethren— who can claim, through his 
affiliation as Past Master, the countenance and support of 
every ruler in his jurisdiction, from the Grand Master down — 
who is denominated by a title " Master" that expresses more 
than " Prophet, Priest or King," if such a man, himself 
under the weightiest obligations to do his duty to the 
Craft without fear or favor, dare not assume the powers 
symbolized by his gavel, his station, and his title, all counsel 
and warning are but wasted upon him. 

But from those Masters, be they young or old, learned or 
unlearned, who feel the weight of their official responsi- 
bilities, and determine, by every light available to them, 
that they will neither merit the title of sluggard nor inno- 
vater, much may be expected that will equally honor them- 
selves, their Lodges and the Craft universal. For such men 
Iris volume has been prepared. 



THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER'S 

SPECIAL HELP 



CHAPTER I. 



THE DESIGNS UPON THE TRESTLE BOARD, 

You have been elected by the free suffrages of your fellow 
members to govern them as their Master for the constitutional 
term of twelve months, or " until your successor has been duly 
elected and installed."* You have solemnly accepted this 
trust. By the most impressive ceremonies known to Ancient 
Craft Masonry, you were installed into the Chair of King 
Solomon, and voluntarily assumed pledges of which the 
following is a synopsis: 



*In Tennessee, and perhaps one or two other Grand Lodg e 
jurisdictions, the practice of semi-annual elections, formerly 
quite general, still obtains. Kentucky abandoned it in 185V — 
other Grand Lodges still earlier. It is destructive to that 
genuine incentive to mental exertion so essential in forming 
the Model Master, 



6 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER'S 

" 1. That you will be a good man and true, and strictly obey 
the Moral Law.* 

2. That you will be a peaceable subject, and cheerfully con- 
form to the laws of the country in which you reside, 

3. That you will not be concerned in plots and conspiracies 
against government, but patiently submit to the decisions ol 
the supreme legislature. 

4. That you will pay a proper respect to the civil magistrate, 
will work diligently, live creditably, and act honestly by all 
men. 

5. That you will hold in veneration the original Rulers and 
Patrons of the Order of Masonry, f and their regular successors, 
supreme and subordinate, according to their stations, and will 
submit to the awards and resolutions of your brethren when 
convened:): in every case consistent with the constitutions of 
the Order. § 

6. That you will avoid private piques and quarrels, and 
guard against intemperance and excess. 



* The " Moral Law" is the Holy Scriptures, presented to the 
Master at his instalation, especially those of the Old Testa- 
ment, the gist of which is found in the Ten Commandments, 
which, in a peculiar sense, constitute the Moral Laic. 

\ These imply King Solomon and the two Ilirams, who repre- 
sented the pillars of Wisdom, Strength and Beauty in the 
formation of the Masonic system. 

JThat is, "When in Lodge or Grand Lodge assembled." 

§No legislation upon topics outside of the ancient consti« 
tutions is binding upon the Craft. 



SPECIAL HELP* 7 

I. That you will be cautious in carriage and behavior, cour- 
teous to your brethren, and faithful to your Lodge. 

8. That you will respect genuine brethren, discountenance 
imposters, and all dissenters from the original plan of Masonry. 

9. That you will promote the general good of society, culti- 
vate the social virtues, and propagate the knowledge of the 
art. 

10. That you will pay homage to the Grand Master for the 
time being, and to his officers when duly installed, and will 
strictly conform to every edict of the Grand Lodge, or General 
Assembly of Masons, that is not subversive of the principles 
and ground -work of Masonry. 

II. That you consent to the landmark that it is not in the 
power of any man or body of men to make innovations in the 
body of Masonry. 

12. That you promise a regular attendance on the commit- 
tees, and communications of the Grand Lodge, on receiving 
proper notice,* and will pay attention to all the duties of 
Masonry on convenient occasions. 

13. That you consent to the landmark that no new Lodge 
can be formed without permission from the Grand Lodge, and 
that no countenance must be given to any irregular Lodge, or 
to any person clandestinely initiated therein, being contrary 
to the Ancient Charges of the Order.f 

* A proper notice is equivalent to " a due summons" spoken 
of in subsequent pages. It must be in writing, signed by the 
Secretary, and authenticated by the Lodge seal. 

f Referring to the well-known passages in the Ancient 
Charges*- 



8 THE WOESHIPFUL MASTERS 

14. That you consent to the landmark that no person can 
be regularly made a Mason in or admitted a member of any 
regular Lodge without previous notice, and due inquiry into 
his character. 

15. That no visitors shall be received into your Lodge with- 
out due examination, and producing proper vouchers of their 
having been initiated in a regular Lodge." 

Having signified your cordial submission to these ancient 
regulations in the hearing of the Lodge (and perhaps a large 
and mixed audience besides,) as the regulations of Free and 
Accepted Masons, as Masters in all ages have done before you, 
the most important emblems of Masonry were then placed in 
your hands and moralized upon, that the scope and purpose of 
Masonry being explained to you, j t ou might not hereafter plead 
ignorance of them. These were : 

1. The Holy Writings. — They were declared to be the great 
. light in Masonry, which will guide you to all truth, will direct 

your path to the temple of happiness, and point out to you the 
whole duty of man. 

2. T7ie Square. — This teaches you to regulate your actions 
by rule and line, and to harmonize your conduct by the prin- 
ciples of morality and virtue. 

3. The Compass. — This teaches you to limit your desires in 
every station, that rising to eminence by merit, you may live 
respected and die regretted. 

4. The Rule. — This directs you punctually to observe your 
duty, to press forward in the path of virtue, and, neither 



SPECIAL HELP. V 

inclining to the right or left in all your actions, to have 
eternity in view. 

5. The Line. — This teaches you the criterion of moral recti- 
tude, to avoid dissimulation in conversation and action, and to 
direct your steps to the path which leads to immortality. 

6. TJw Book of Constitutions. — This you were commanded 
to search at all times, and to cause to be read in your Lodge, 
that none may pretend ignorance of the excellent precepts it 
enjoins * 

7. Tlie By-laws of your Lodge. — These you were directed to 
see carefully and punctually executed. 

These grand, and even sublime lessons, being thus publicly 
urged upon your official acceptance, you are henceforth bound 
to observe them, and enforce them upon your Lodge. You can 
not honorably say that you " did not in icords agree to them, 
and therefore it is optionary upon you whether or not you will 
obey them." This were but a shallow equivocation. They 
were before your eyes in all the published works of Masonry. 
They were delivered to you ia the public audience of your 
Lodge, and the world, and by every principle of honor you are 
covenanted to stand to and abide by them during your term of 
office. f 

" See a correct copy of the Book of Constitutions. 

f Upon this principle, the Master of a Lodge who denies the 
binding force of the Holy Writings as divinely inculcated, vio- 
lates his solemn covenants of installation, and is subject to 
removal from office. 



10 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER'S 

That you might be properly supported in your dignity as 
Master, the officers of your Lodge were next covenanted and 
installed by yourself, each in his peculiar station, and their 
chief duties pointed out and enforced upon them. The 
Wardens were commanded to assist you in the discharge of 
your trust. The Secretary was informed that he was to ob~ 
serve your will and pleasure (Monitor, p. 92) ; the Deacons 
that it was their province to attend upon you. Following 
this, you were emphatically assured that " the honor, reputa- 
tion, and usefulness of your Lodge would materially depend 
upon the skill and assiduity with which you managed its 
concerns, and that the happiness of your fellow members 
would be generally promoted in proportion to the zeal and 
ability with which you should propagate the genuine principles 
of the institution." As a pattern of imitation, the most ap- 
propriate to your new office, your attention was directed to the 
Sun, the great luminary of nature, which, rising in the East, 
regularly diffuses light and lustre to all within its circle. 
Thus you, the Sun of your Lodge, were exhorted to spread 
and communicate light and instruction thereto. You were 
directed forcibly to impress upon your brethren the dignity 
and high importance of Masonry ; seriously to admonish them 
never to disgrace it ; charge them to practice out of the Lodge 
the duties taught in it, and by amiable, discreet, and virtuous 
conduct convince mankind of the goodness of the institution. 
Finally, the brethren of the Lodge, one and all, were directed 
to obey you according to the old charges and regulations, 



SPECIAL HELP. 11 

" with all humility, reverence, love, and alacrity," and so the 
work, government, discipline, and instruction of your Lodge 
were left confidingly in your charge. 

In a softened spirit you returned home that evening, to draw 
your designs upon your Trestle Board for the coming year. 
Fluttered and confused in your yet novel station, you look 
upon the charter of the Lodge which you have taken home 
with you* with a sensation of oppressiveness, and ask your- 
self, " What am I that I should bear this great trust ?" Open- 
ing those Holy Writings whose Masonic relations have been 
this day so forcibly brought to your mind, you read with a new 
and startling interest the words following: 

u In Gibeon .the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by 
night : and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. 

" And Solomon said, Thou hast showed unto thy servant 
David, my father, great mercy according as he walked before 
thee in truth and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart 
with thee ; and thou has kept for him this great kindness that 
thou hast given him a sqii to sit on his throne, as it is this 
day. 

'• And now, oh Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant 
king, instead of David, my father, and I am but a little child : 
I know not how to go out or to come in. 



■*The Charter is in the Master's keeping, and he is respon- 
sible to the Grand Lodge for its safety as custodian. He should 
have it i oiled and preserved in a tin case (not framed) and 
either carry it home with him, or place it in the Secretary's 
charge, to be carefully locked up and delivered only to him or 
his order, or in his absence, to the Wardens. 



12 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTERS 

"And thy servant is in the midst of thy people, which thou 
hast chosen a great people, that cannot be numbered nor 
counted for multitude. 

" Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge 
thy people, that I may discern between good and had : for who is 
able to judge this, thy so great a people ?" — 1st Kings, ill 5-9. 

Pausing here to make personal application of these beautiful 

passages, your mind involuntarily soars upward upon the same 

wings that bore the soul of the youthful Grand Master to the 

Throne of Grace, and you beseech the Supreme Architect as 

he did, for "an understanding heart to judge the brethren 

under your government, that you may discern between good 

and bad.' 1 Solemnized by an appeal which the ever-present 

Deity will surely hear and answer, you pursue the passage to 

its conclusion, and read thus : 

" And the speech pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked 
this thing. 

" And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this 
thing— hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judg- 
ment, behold I have done according to thy words! Lo, I have 
given thee a wise and understanding heart ; so that there was 
none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any rise 
like unto thee. 

" And if thou wilt walk in my ways to keep my statutes and 
judgments, then I will lengtlten thy days." 

There is nothing needed beyond this. You accept the pro- 
mise, having made the covenant, and henceforth your hopes of 
usefulness, your reasonable anticipations of an extension of 
the office in your hands, and your expectations of an honorable 
and happy term of employment are laid upon God. 



SPECIAL HELP. 13 

Now you draw your designs upon your trestle-board for the 
ensuing year. Now you note down your wishes and determina- 
tions — perhaps they assume this form. 

1. That I will perform all my official duties as between my- 
self and my conscience, being guided therein by my Installation 
Covenants. 

2. That I will rale my Lodge without fear, favor, or hope of 
reward, save the approbation of my conscience and of God. 

8. That I will endeavor to win my brethren to attend all 
the meetings of the Lodge by the allurements of abundant 
Masonic instruction for their wages. 

4. That I will at all times, and by all means, seek for the 
ancient Work and Lectures of Masonry, and be satisfied with 
nothing less. 

5. That the distressed worthy brother shall never go disap- 
pointed from the door of my Lodge, if in my power to aid him. 

6. That I will strive, in knowledge, charity, truth, courtesy, 
and love, to be a model* to my brethren. 

7. That the evil-doer under my jurisdiction shall have no 
rest until he reforms or is cut off. 

8 That the officers under me shall each acquire and per- 
form his duties accurately and thoroughly, according to his 
Installation Covenants. 

9. That my Lodge shall have honor and respect among its 
fellows. 

A brief view of the work before you will end this chapter. 

You have indeed got much to do. Not only have you the 



14 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTERS 

current duties of your office to perform, which are likely, by the 
way, to require as much of your time as you can well spare 
from your necessary vocations ; but there is probably much 
unfinished business lying over from last year, which must be 
cleared up before you can have the records and current man- 
agement of the Lodge fairly in your hands. Odds and ends 
it is ; fragments of disciplinary cases long spun out by special 
pleading, absence, or neglect ; Committees failing to report 
from month to month ; financial statements and misstatements 
that do not "balance" or " add up" properly ; G. Secretary's 
communications ; G. Lodge reports ; volumes missing from the 
library; " blot minutes" missing and never entered upon the 
records ; dues and collections frightfully behind ; needed fur- 
niture, or equipments, etc., etc., and all demanding attention 
more or less prompt at your hands. To read up last year's 
records is, of course, the first thing you will do. And this 
suggests the propriety of making an abstract, as you read, of 
all unfinished business recorded there. To study the By-laws 
of your Lodge, point by point, and with pen in hand, is an 
equally important duty. Note their defects, their errors of 
omission and commission, and resolve, at an early period, if 
necessary, to awaken the Lodge to a sense of the importance 
of their amendment and perfection by the best models extant, 
Until this is done, you know that the By-laws of your Lodge, 
where not grossly contrary to the ancient landmarks, are your 
guide, and you must see them carefully executed. 



SPECIAL HELP. 



15 



CHAPTEE II. 

GETTING INTO THE HARNESS, 

But few Lodges in this country are furnished with the auxil- 
iaries for good and pleasant work. Few have even those which 
are demanded by stern necessity. The mania for building 
halls, so prevalent among us, so far embarrasses the Lodge 
finances when indulged in, as to leave no surplus funds to buy 
even the most important Masonic paraphernalia. Thtf naked 
walls, bare floors, empty pedestals, and scanty and mean jewels 
and regalia of our Lodges cry aloud against this desecration of 
Lodge benevolences. Better for your Lodge to meet in the 
shabbiest garret, at a merely nominal rent, than in the costli- 
est hall, if at the expense of so much that is essential to good 
work. Better assemble on a high hill or in a low dale, on 
mountain summit or in cryptic seclusion, enjoying the neces- 
sary tools and emblems of architecture for use, than in a broad 
apartment wanting those things. 

Upon looking around you, and arranging matters to your 
mind before setting out upon your year's work, begin at the 

Tyler's room. Has he the instrument of his office ? chairs for 
.the comfortable seating of visitors? hooks for hats, coats, 

etc. ? Is there a little sliding panel in the Lodge doors to 



16 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTERS 

enable him to peep in and observe the Lodge doings ? (if so, 
fasten it ttp immediately. Don't allow it to remain for a mo- 
ment. Nail it up and paper it over, and expressly forbid its 
being re-opened !) Has he the means of locking or hooking 
the Lodge door on the outside ? Is he comfortably situated in 
reference to light and warmth ? 

Look next into the preparation-room. Is there a press for 
garments ? chairs ? table ? Has the door to the Tyler's room 
the means of being fastened upon the inside ? 

Now enter the hall. Look at the paraphernalia of the Dea- 
cons. Have they good and proper rods? jewels of a correct 
pattern ? a square and a compass, independent of those upon 
the altar ? 

Observe the Secretary's desk and appliances. Has he a com- 
modious desk ? Has he a chest and drawers that will securely 
lock ? are his record and account books strong and well-bound? 
Has he plenty of stationery ? Has he upon his shelves the 
proceedings of your Grand Lodge from the organization of 
your Lodge to the present time ? Are they bound in durable 
volumes ? Has he a seal, and a supply of blank demits, diplo- 
mas, accounts, etc. ? 

Note the Treasurer's desk. Observe his account book. Is 
it strong and durable ? Has he stationery ? 

Look closely at the station of the Junior Warden. Has it a 
sheaf of wheat suspended over it ? Has he a gavel of correct 
pattern, and a column, and a Monitor, and a candlestick ? Is 
there a wall or pulpit before his chair ? (If so, knock it down 
at once !) Has he a correct jewel of his office ? 



SPECIAL HELP, IT 

Observe the station of the Senior Warden. Has he the 
gavel, column, Monitor, and candlestick ? Is there any obstruc- 
tion before his chair ? (Dash it down !) Has he a correct * 
jewel of his office ? 

Give special attention to the Master's station. Has it the 
gavel, column, candlestick, Constitution and By-Laws ? Has 
the carpenter pinned him in by a wall ? (Take it away imme- 
diately !) Has he a correct jewel of his office ? 

Examine the floor of the Lodge room. Is it carpeted, or at 
least covered with some elastic substance that will deaden 
sound ? Look at the walls. Is there the Master's Carpet for 
lecturing, and portraits of the great and good men who, through 
many ages, have adorned and made glorious the Order ? Look 
at the seats provided for members and visitors. Are they 
abundant and comfortable ? Is there a supply of water for 
drinking purposes ? Is it neatly and cleanly distributed ? Are 
the arrangements for warming the Lodge sufficient for com- 
fort ? Are the aprons abundant and clean ? Are the By- 
Laws sufficient for all the members ? Is the floor well swept ? 

Look now at the altar. Is it properly illuminated with the 
" Great and Lesser Lights ?" Is the copy of Holy Scriptures 
one worthy of sacred use in the Lodge, and at public displays 
in processions out of it ? Is the cushion upon which it rests a 
tasty one ? Are the candlesticks what they should be ? Is 
the altar itself such in form and size as it should be ? 

* * * ■& * * * 

This examination into the furniture and paraphernalia of the 



18 



THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER'S 



Lodge should precede your first meeting. It should be made 
with memorandum-book in hand, wherein you will notice what- 
ever is defective or wanting. To supply all deficiencies will 
probably require your entire term of twelve months, perhaps 
longer, but to secure the most essential objects for Lodge use 
need not take you long. An incident here : 

Brother C. A. F- was elected Master of his Lodge in 

October, 1856. His Lodge, though ten years old, was as naked 
as a CafFre child is at the same age. But by the first regular 
communication of his Lodge, following his installation, Brother 
F. had secured a subscription paper from the community of 
which the following is a copy : 

"Mrs. L. W. — A Bible cushion, very handsome. 

" T. S. 0., (a cabinet-maker) — A complete set of working 
tools, except the trowel,, constructed of seasoned cherry wood, 
elegantly carved and adorned, with the donor's name and the 
name of the Lodge neatly engraved upon metal plates inserted 
in them. 

" L. T., (a printer) — A new edition of the By-Laws, printed 
for one-fifth the regular price. 

" W. W. A., (Bible Society Agent) — A large and noble copy 
of Scriptures. 

" S. P. P., ( a carpenter) — Four days work, raising and orna- 
menting the Lodge stations and pedestals, and repairing prep- 
aration-room. 

" John Sherer — A Master's Carpet, large size. 

"The young ladies of the Sociable Sewing Club — Cutting, 
trimming, and making forty aprons. 

"J. B. E., (a jeweler) — Mending, altering, and polishing the 
jewels. 



SPECIAL HELP. 19 

"N. R. T., (a bookseller) — Four quires paper, one quart ink, 
and a six quire blank book." 

This subscription paper, worth perhaps in the aggregate 
$60, was made by Brother F., as he assured us, within six days, 
and the articles handed in, and the work engaged all done. 
The objects when displayed in the Lodge room, added so much 
to its beaut}', gave the brethren such pleasure in the work and 
lectures, and so stimulated the zeal of the members, that an 
appropriation of $80 was speedily made, (followed in five 
months by $50 more), for the remaining paraphernalia, and to 
this day Bro. F.'s Lodge is the most comfortable and showy one 
in the District. 

We relate this incident as a matter of encouragement. Our 
experience of Masons — no light one — assures us of their 
cheerful willingness to contribute to anything that promises to 
contribute to the honor and reputation of the craft, or the 
neatness, beauty, and facility of Masonic work. In David's 
preparations for the erection of the Temple, his people largely 
assisted. Upon his solicitation (1 Chronicles xxix) "they 
offered willingly, and gave for the service of the house of God, 
of gold 5,000 talents and 10,000 drams, and of silver 10,000 
talents, and of brass 18,000 talents, and 100,000 talents of 
iron. And they, with whom precious stones were found, gave 
them to the treasure of the house of the Lord, Then the peo- 
ple rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with per- 
fect heart they offered willingly to the Lord." Shall such 
experience as this be lost ? Cheerful and abundant gifts can 



20 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER' S 

be secured from your brethren, if } t ou will approach them 
right, and your naked and unfurnished Lodge will be made to 
smile under their bountiful benefactions. This, too, will prove 
the truth of the divine adage, " It is more blessed to give than 
to receive." 

We have in a preceding sentence stigmatized the passion of 
erecting Masonic halls in this country as insane. Experience 
proves it to be so. The erection of Masonic halls in this 
country has so often proved the destruction of the Lodge by 
the crushing weight of the debts incurred, that we have 
learned to look upon Masonic halls, as we pass them in our 
journey, as so many cocoons which the silk-worm barely spins, 
then dies. Not one Lodge in ten ever has sufficient means to 
build a hall, nor in one case in twenty is there a necessity for 
it. Every village has some edifice with an upper apartment 
suitable, with a moderate fitting up, for Masonic purposes, 
and this should be secured before organizing the Lodge. The 
proposal to erect a hall usually comes from some property- 
holder in the place, or from some one who desires a business 
house or church edifice, and seeks Masonic aid for personal 
motives. -You will do well during your term of office to pre- 
serve your Lodge from this temptation, a mania for huilding. 
The necessity for a collection of the proceedings of your 
Grand Lodge is too apparent to mention. Have the Secre- 
taries of your Lodge, during their respective terms of office, 
preserved those documents? Most probably not. It is by far 
more likely that there is not one of all the series on the shelves 



SPECIAL HELP. 2t 

of the Lodge. A part may be found scattered amongst the 
dwellings of the members, — the most have gone to light the 
Tyler's fires, or the pipes and cigars of the brethren. In a 
sample Lodge, organized in 1818, not a singleMocument or pam- 
phlet, of all that have been provided (three copies are fur- 
nished per year) for forty-three years was to be found when the 
Master thereof was installed. How valuable w r ould the col- 
lection be — had it been preserved — of the Proceedings, Con- 
stitutions, Addresses Circulars, By-Laws, College Reports, 
Funeral Notices, etc., etc., for forty-eight years ! How irre- 
parable the loss ! 

If your search eventuates, as it probably will, in finding but 
a few straggling members of the series, and your study of 
Grand Lodge legislation, so necessary to the successful per- 
formance of your official duties is thereby seriously impeded, 
you may write to the Grand Secretary, asking for such copies 
as he can spare ; also institute a search among the book-shelves 
of your members, and address letters to the Lodges of your 
State. By these methods you may in time secure a consid- 
erable portion of the series. Let it be distinctly understood 
that, hereafter, all Grand Lodge and other documents fur- 
nished the Lodge in its official capacity are the property of the 
Lodge, and not to be taken out of the room until filed, bound, 
catalogued and numbered. 

One difficulty you may expect to meet with at the outset of 
your administration — and in a lesser degree all through the 
twelve months — to which we will make special allusion here ! 



22 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTERS 

It is the prevalent notion in every Lodge (equally so in the 
Grand Lodge) that the usages of that Lodge are necessarily correct. 
The cry of " Oh, we don't work that way here !" which has 
chilled and paralyzed the intelligence and zeal of so many 
Masters, should have no terrors for you. The idea that the 
particular customs of a Lodge are necessarily landmarks, is 
most preposterous and absurd. Upon this principle, Masonry 
has no universal landmarks. Every Lodge has customs pecu- 
liar to itself, customs that originated in temporary or local con- 
venience or in official ignorance, customs which have been 
perpetuated through the ignorance, indifference, or timidity of 
subsequent Masters, and if these are to be esteemed as land- 
marks, there is no universality hi Masonry. You who accepted 
as your first rule of private guidance, that " You will perform 
all your official duties as between yourself and your conscience, 
being guided therein by your installation covenants," must 
early learn to draw the line between local usage and universal 
landmarks, and must apply this to every step of the Lodge's 
progress during your official career. 

At the same time you need not too abruptly change or 
cause to be changed the local practices of your Lodge. There 
is a soft and graceful method, a suaviier in rnodo, which is 
preferable to all others. Learn to use it. Go to each officer 
individually, and privately point out his errors, showing him at 
the same time the correct practice. The following directions 
in Scott's System of Military Tactics, are closely applicable to 
Masonic instruction, viz : " The instructor will always explain 



SPECIAL HELP. 23 

first what he proposes to teach, in a few clear and precise 
words. He will himself execute what he is about to command, 
by way of illustration, and endeavor to accustom the recruit, 
himself, to take the right position." 

It i!Riy be that this wholesale course of innovation upon the 
Lodge usages will be so distasteful to the brethren as to excite 
murmurings, and even opposition. While there is but little 
danger of this, provided sufficient prudence and judgment upon 
your part are exercised, yet should it so happen, you must 
meet the difficulty in due time, and refer the question to the 
Grand Master. That dignitary is supposed to be well-instruc- 
ted in general usage and Masonic landmarks. A statement of 
the question, lucidly drawn up, and accepted by both parties 
as ingenuous, should be forwarded to him, and his decision 
adopted without hesitation. If against you, you must submit, 
and ought to do it cheefully. If his decision is palpably wrong, 
(for even Grand Masters are not invariably Solomons,) you 
may lay the point before the Grand Lodge at a proper time. 

We, however, repeat there is little danger of rebellion in 
the Lodge if the Master will but execute his great powers with 
prudence and rule without haughtiness or tyranny. Some of 
the members, especially the elder ones, may withdraw for a 
while from their attendance ; whisperings may be heard of a 
change of officers at the next election, etc., but if you will 
pursue a mild, yet firm and straight-forward course, according 
to the designs on your Trestle Board, described in Chapter 



24 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER'S 

First, you will find, ere your year expires, that your fellow- 
members have forgotten their dislike to your little changes in 
their admiration at the successful and brilliant results. The 
surest method of electioneering for re-election to office is to fill 
toorthily that office ichile you have it. 

The financial matters of your Lodge, which are probably 
much confused, should have early attention. The first meet- 
ing of the Lodge should be primarily devoted to this subject. 
A list of debts and claims elite the Lodge, and another of those 
due oy the Lodge, should have been placed in your hands by the 
Secretary ; if not, then order one promptly made out by the 
present incumbent. Get an order passed to print some blank 
accounts of dues, and direct the Secretary (whose duty it is 
u to observe the Worshipful Master's will and pleasure,") to make 
out each orotliefs account and present it to him. Get another 
order of the Lodge to pay all claims so far as audited and 
allowed, and draw orders upon the Treasurer accordingly. 
Give the Treasurer special orders never, under any circum- 
stances, to pay out money without an order from you. Give 
the Secretary special orders as follows: 

1. To enter upon the Records of the Lodge at each meeting 
the accounts of money received by him since the last regular 
meeting, and from whom. 

2. To pay all moneys so collected over to the Treasurer be- 
fore the close of the next regular meeting. 

3. To take the Treasurer's receipts as his only vouchers. 

4. To post from the Record Book to the Ledger every sum 



SPECIAL HELP. 



25 



so collected, carefully crediting it to the proper person, with 
dates and circumstances. 

5. To pay no money, under any circumstances, save to the 
Treasurer. 

To assure yourself of the Secretary's obedience, examine his 
books, especially the Record Book and Ledger, from time to 
time, and if erroneous, insist upon rigid corrections and more 
perfect attention to duty in future. 

So important do we deem this subject that we boldly affirm 
that you will make no sound progress in your efforts to instruct, 
enlighten, and elevate your Lodge, until the financial arrear- 
ages are cleared away. Those who are largely in debt to the 
Lodge will shirk its meetings lest they should be reminded of 
their defalcations. Those who pay their dues punctually will 
be soured by the reflection that the burdens of the Lodge, 
which ought to be equally distributed amongst the entire 
membership, are made to fall upon the shoulders of a few. 
Objects of charity cannot J3e relieved, or necessary parapherna- 
lia purchased, because the means of the Lodge are scattered 
in the pockets of non-paying members. If, therefore, you need 
three, or even six months, to roll this monstrous obstacle away ; 
if various members must be suspended for non-payment of 
dues ; if a portion of the just claims of the Lodge must be 
remitted and excused to the defaulters, look upon it as a nec- 
essary evil and rid yourself of the embarrassments, being 
assured of a clearer sky when it is done. 

Nothing will tend more to your own encouragement and ini- 



26 TPIE WOESHIPFUL MASTERS 

provement than to open and maintain a private diary. Your 
first entries, after the personal determinations and pro- 
gramme described in Chapter First, will of course relate to the 
deficiencies in regalia, furniture, etc., etc., alluded to above. 
Your after entries will describe the obstacles met ; the tri- 
umphs and the failures ; the encouragements and discourage- 
ments ; the letters written and received"; the time devoted to 
study: the number of degrees conferred and upon whom ; the 
visitations made and received ; the personal expenses incurred 
by your Masonic labors; in short, the incidents of your official 
year. Such a diary, properly kept, is a document of perma- 
nent and immense value, not only to yourself, but to all with 
whom you sustain the fraternal relation. We shall find a 
place in a subsequent chapter to make extracts from existing 
records of this kind. That intelligent Craftsman, Grand 
Master Austin, of New Albany, Indiana, is one who originated 
and has sustained a private journal of the sort which in the 
days .to come will approve itself to the pleasure and profit of 
his successors. 



SPECIAL HELP, 27 



CHAPTER III. 



OPENING AND CLOSING THE LODGE. 

The ability of the true Lodge-Master is seen more in his style 
of Opening and Closing his Lodge than in any other depart- 
ment of official labor. It is the experimentum cruris of a good 
Master. 

We have traveled long and far to see and hear what is this 
thing called Masonry. We have visited Lodges by scores of 
hundreds. We have learned that the expression u a good 
Lodge," chiefly means " a Lodge with a good Master," and we 
have learned that the test of a good Master is as stated above, 
his ability with dignity, and accuracy to open and close his 
Lodge. 

Some make the test "the ability to confer the Degrees." 
They are wrong. A Degree is not so much conferred by the 
Master as by the Senior Deacon and other officers. The atten- 
tion of the Lodge is not then so much turned upon the Master 
as upon the Candidate. But in the ceremonies of Opening and 
Closing, the Master is the be-all and do-all of the Lodge. 

In our remarks under this head, we take it for granted that 
the reader has familiarized himself with the thoughts given in 
preceding chapters. Basing our observations upon them, we 



28 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER'S 

go on to say that the Model Master should make his appear- 
ance at the Lodge room at least a quarter of an hour prior to 
the time of Opening specified in the By-laws. This is to see 
that all matters are in readiness for the meeting — for Tylers 
and Stewards need looking after as well as other folks ; like- 
wise to provide pro tempore appointments to offices whose 
proper incumbents are absent. This must not be left, as is 
too customary, until the last minute. If a Brother is to be 
called upon to fill a station, he should know it in season, and 
should accept it. This avoids the annoyance and mortification 
of refusal or failure. Again, there may be, and it is always to 
be presumed there 'will be, visitors in attendance. These, if 
properly instructed, are also at the Lodge room a quarter or 
half hour before the time of opening, which is specified in the 
By-laws. And these should promptly receive the cordial word 
and gentlemanly greeting which a Model-Master knows so well 
to bestow. These also, if strangers to the Brethren, should be 
put in charge of Committees of Examination in due time — 
before the Lodge opens if possible — so as to avoid that great 
annoyance so commonly inflicted upon Lodges, that of calling 
out the best of the members during the hours of business for 
the purpose of Examination. This indeed is an insufferable 
annoyance and an immense loss of Masonic time to those who 
are so unfortunate as to have it to do. 

Precisely at the moment specified in the By-laws, the Master 
should Congregate his Lodge. If, after he has done so, there 
is not present a sufficient number for Opening, it will be 



SPECIAL HELP. 29 

option ary with the Master whether to wait a while for the 
others or dismiss those who are present and go home. The 
latter method was tried, once, by a sharp set young Mas- 
ter just installed, whose Lodge had become in the pre- 
ceding years inveterately tardy. At the first meeting he Con- 
gregated his Lodge according to the By-laws, then, there being 
but five present, dismissed them, put the Charter in his pocket 
and went home. He summoned the Lodge to a called meet- 
ing the week following, explained the matter, showed the evils 
of tardiness and so worked up the impulses of the occasion as 
to have no more difficulty in that way the rest of the year ! 
The true theory is that the Lodge in its By-laws sets the mo- 
ment of opening, and the Master at his Installation solemnly 
covenants himself to see those By-laws carefully and punctually 
executed. If the Lodge does not approve of the hour of meet- 
ing named in the By-laws, because it is too early or too late, 
let them change the By-laws : but while they are in force the 
Master should see them rigidly enforced, so far as he has the 
power to do it. 

The Lodge being Congregated by the method which is or 
ought to be understood by every Master, the ceremonies of 
Purging and Tyling follow. The method of doing these cannot 
be explicitly described ; but many hints drawn from the 
model master of this century* can be given. He intimates 



* Alluding of course to Brother Thomas Smith Webb, 
whose death in 1819 opened the way to the deluge of innova- 
tions that have swept over the Lodges. Those who had the 



30 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTEK S 

that the peculiar study cf every Mason present ought to be to 
have the ceremony of opening the Lodge conducted with pro- 
priety. That to the rulers of the Lodge every eye is turned 
for propriety of conduct and behavior. That no one present 
at the opening can be exempt in taking a share in the cere- 
mony ; it being a general concern, all must assist.* That we 
must detect impostors among those present if any, and that 
due care must be directed to the external avenues of the 
Lodge. He observes that three purposes are wisely effected 
in this manner of opening the Lodge, viz. : the Master is re- 
minded of the dignity of his character, and the Brethren of the 
homage and veneration which are due from them, \ while a 
reverential awe for the Deity is inculcated and the eye is fixed 
on that object from whose radiant beams Light only can be 
derived. J Thus we are taught to adore the God of Heaven and 
to supplicate his protection in our well-meant endeavors. Then 



happiness to sit under his instructions testify to the dignity, 
urbanity, skill andpoAver with which he ever wielded the Gavel 
whether on the quiet dais of his own Lodge or in the Grand 
East of the Grand Lodge. He was in all respects, with tongue 
and pen and gavel, the Model Master of the XlXth Century, 
as William Preston was of the XVIIIth. 

* This includes the Secretary as well as the others. The 
claim that the Secretary has his minutes to keep up, and there- 
fore cannot rise and act with the rest is untenable and absurd. 

f This idea of veneration is from the following in the Ancient 
Charges : " The rulers and governors of the Lodge are to be 
obeyed in their respective stations by all the Brethren with 'all 
humility, reverence, love and alacrity." 

^ Alluding of course to the Holy Scriptures, 



SPECIAL HELP. 31 

him his Wardens who accept their trust after the customary 
salutations. And that the Brethren then with one accord unite 
in duty and respect, and so the ceremony concludes. 

But while these hints point out plainly enough a proper 
skeleton of the ceremonies of Opening, detailed information 
upon particular passages may be added. The rules of Purging 
a Lodge are often grossly disregarded, either from neglect of 
the Rituals or ignorance of them. The true regulation is, that 
no one can be present when the secrets of Masonry are to be 
dispensed (as in Opening the Lodge, etc.,) except he has been 
found to be as just and lawful a Mason as we ourselves are 
who make up the Lodge. This fact must be ascertained by 
one of three methods, viz: 1, strict trial, 2, due examination 
or 3, lawful information. The Master is the judge of all this, 
and he alone is responsible that the regulation alluded to is 
observed. * " Trial" and Examination" are esoteric. They 
are rigidly defined and there is no " short way" by which they 
can be effected. No stranger, however expert, can pass 
through the ordeal of " strict trial and due examination," so 
as to enter the Lodge, in a less period than half an hour. 
Thousands with their present knowledge (or want of knowl- 
edge) could never pass them all. " Lawful Information" is 
exoteric. It consists in some Brother present vouching that 



* See an excellent article under this head from the pen of 
Finlay M. King, now Grand ^Master of New York: first pub 
lished in The Masonic Union. 



32 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER'S 

the Master assumes his government in due form and under 
" he knows the visitor to be a Mason" by one of the kinds of 
knowledge named in the regulation above given. A may 
vouch for B if he has set with him in a Lodge opened on the 
Degree in question, or A may vouch for B, if C has previouslv 
vouched to A for B. There is the whole in a nutshell. 

The Lodge being Congregated, Purged and Tyled, is now 
Lectured by the Master in catechetical form with the aid of 
the Senior Warden or any other Brother whom the Master 
may prefer. The system is esoteric. It is rigidly defined ; no 
Mason or Lodge or Grand Lodge has a right to vary a syllable 
or letter from it. It enlightens the members present in the 
very matters most necessary to a Mason ; the government of 
his own conduct ; his ties, bonds, chairs and covenants ; the 
means of traveling as a Mason ; the method of filling Masonic 
office creditably ; the method of examining a visitor systemat- 
ically ; of conferring Degrees ; of examining a candidate for 
advancement— all these and more are conveyed in the tech- 
nical " Lecturing," necessary to be done at opening the 
Lodge.- The pledges of a Past Master can be fulfilled with 
nothing short of this. 

The Religious Exercises at opening might well be extended 
beyond the usual practice of Masters. The reading of appro- 
priate passages of Scripture ; and the Singing a proper Ode 



* To open the Lodge thoroughly on tlie three Degrees takes 
an expert Master from 25 to 35 minutes for the whoJp. 



SPECIAL HELP. 33 

might well be added to the usual Prayer. All the surround- 
ings of a Masonic Lodge, being sympolical of a religious thought > 
this is a good time to evolve some of their lessons. 

The Reception of a Visitor is a proper subject to come under 
this head. We have already alluded to his examination as a 
rigid thing, a matter in which no favors should be asked and 
none can be given. When we travel as Masons we travel upon 
our u rights, lights and benefits." We ask to receive; if we 
ask properly we have a right to receive.' 55 ' We claim to see the 
Charter, the By-Laws and the List of members. The Lodge 
then claims the " strict trial" to which we have alluded. This 
we concede, but we claim that they ask the proper questions 
in precise language and order. We reply in proper language 
and order. All being done, the Examining Committee returns 
to the Lodge, reports the character of our examination, 
names our mistakes if any and is discharged. The Master 
then decides upon our admission or rejection and there is no 
appeal. 

If admitted the visitor is met at the door by the proper 
officer (the Senior Deacon) who introduces himself, and is 
introduced by him to the Master. The Master then introduces 
him to the Lodge and gives him the appropriate welcome. 
How precious is this to its recipient ! how rarely is it prop- 
erly done ! The visitor, but a moment before " a stranger in a 



* Unless some Brother present objects to our admission. In 
this case his " rights" are paramount to ours, 
2 



34 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTERS 

strange land" — sternly questioned — refused all reply to Ms 
questions, left alone while the Committee report whether he 
is to be treated as an enlightened or a benighted man, is now 
the " observed of all observers," — the welcomed — the friend — 
t!ie Brother. Smiling faces, grasping hands, loving words are 
his, and his by rigid. This is the wages of Masonry. Now he 
finds that Masonry is ail it claims to be, and he feels to thank 
God that he ever entered its portals. He will remember that 
reception and that Lodge so long as he lives. 

But all this depends upon the Master. Defects in him are 
irremediable. If he is awkward, if he is surly, if he is igno- 
rant, it is all at the expense of the visitors, it is so much to be 
deducted from his wages as a Mason. It is to the discredit of 
the Lodge, of the Grand Lodge, of the Masonic Order; and 
the visitor will only remember that reception as one more 
proof how far Masonry has fallen below its ancient standard. 

The Master of every Lodge is supposed to be in regular line 
of advancement to be Grand Master. He should practice all 
the grace, dignity and wisdom in the use of the wooden gavel 
that will be expected of him when he handles the ivory one. 
The same general principles apply to the opening of the Grand 
Lodge as the subordinate. Had we more knowledge and dig- 
nity in Masters we should be less frequently mortified by the 
want of both in Grand Masters. But we forbear. 

As one great object had in view by every Brother in attend- 
ing his Lodge is "to improve himself in Masonry," we advise 
by all means that at each Regular Meeting the Lodges be 



SPECIAL HELP. 35 

opened in order on three Degrees, beginning with the lowest. 
It only takes half an hour to do all this and the effect of it will 
be most happy. Entered apprentices will -attend the Lodge 
so that they may see the Lodge opened in form. Fellow 
Crafts will do the same. To confine the opening to the Third 
Degree is to restrict within the narrowest compass the dissem- 
ination of light to the Lodge. 

As we have so urgently recommended the Master to open 
the Lodge punctually at the moment indicated in the By-laws, 
so with the Closing. The By-laws may specify the time 
of closing ; if they do not, endeavor to have them improved in 
that particular and then time the Work so as to shut down the 
gate upon it at the proper moment. Two hours well employed 
is ample time for a Lodge meeting. It is as long as the tired, 
the sick, the feeble and the active business men care to stay* 
It is as long as the common mind will drink in instruction 
without weariness. If the work is unfinished, lay it over. If 
Degrees are to be conferred make Called Meetings for them ; but 
avoid the frequent error of protracted meetings of the Lodge. 
It is not a bad rule, that given us by the venerable Father 

, now at frest under the pine trees. It Avas this: "If 

when you get home from the Lodge your wife scowls upon you, 
take it as the punishment for exceeding the By-Laws !" 



36 THE WOKSHIPFUL MASTEk's 



CHAPTER IV. 



DIGNITY AND TACT. 

Dignity and Tact— Tact and Dignity, (we scarcely know 
which to put foremost,) are qualifications in a Master equal in 
importance to any others. For want of Dignity y many a 
Master fails just short of being a " Model ;" for want of 3 y act, 
many a Master experiences a total failure maugre Knowledge, 
Dignity and Zeal. To govern men, especially free men, men 
used to republican-democratic liberties, and unused to the 
despotic sort of control which is the very genius of Masonry, 
is a quality few possess by nature, and one, the acquisition of 
which compensates for almost any amount of study and effort. 

Shall we draw two sketches, both from life, and both derived 
from the same Lodge ? The last was taken about five years 
later than the other. The Lodge shall be called " Experience 
Lodge," and the names of the two Masters A. and B. In our 
first visit to that Lodge A. was Master. We entered as a 
visitor and were received as one. The Master stepping for- 
ward to the front of the dais, with a grace and dignity that 
would have become a " a belted knight, a lord, a duke and a 
that," gave us a welcome we can never forget. Looking round 
the hall, we saw his courtesy and grace reflected in every 
Brother present. Taking a seat by his side, we witnessed a 



SPECIAL HELP, 37 

scene of order and decorum only paralleled in the Supreme 
Court at Washington. When a Brother rose to speak, he felt 
that he was protected by the head of the Lodge ; that in fact 
he teas the head of the Lodge, so long as he confined himself 
to the theme under discussion and kept himself circumscribed 
within the By-laws. When Bro. A. had occasion to put a 
member right — and the theme of discussion that night was 
one of deep interest, one in which feelings were involved and 
character was at stake— he did it without the slightest compro- 
mise of good manners or the brotherly cement that bound 
all together. No jesting or levity was visible, and when each 
member had spoken at pleasure, the subject was impressively 
summed up and committed to the decision of the Lodge. 

And all this was done with much less real Masonic knowl- 
edge than should have been found in the Master. In fact Bro. 
A. was not a bright Mason either in rituals, jurisprudence or 
parliamentary law. Many of his conclusions would have failed 
11 to hold water," as the saying is. But the air of sincerity— - 
for he was sincere — -and of dignity — for he did appreciate the 
dignity of his position as the Representative of King Solomon 
— made up for all deficiencies, and his official year has 
been considered more successful than that of any of his 
predecessors. 

One thing, too, struck us very forcibly, viz., the manner in 
which at proper times he could unbend. At partaking of the 
refreshments which the Lodge had provided as part of our 
welcome, he was the life and soul of the party. "He came 



38 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER'S 

down," as the old Tyler whispered it in our ear, " better from 
his high stilts than any man you ever saw." He sang. He told 
anecdotes. He was funny. Nay, we are not sure but what, if 
a reporter had been present, he would needs have expunged 
certain portions of his remarks ere committing them to print. 
But when the call to labor was made, and the Master put on 
his hat, the boldest of us would not have dared essay a smile 
in his presence ! Now that is what we call Dignity in ilie 
right place. His fellow-members respected and obeyed him, 
and unconsciously acquired and reflected a part of his manner 
while in the Lodge. Plain country people, dressed in plain 
country clothes, they looked absolutely intellectual as being 
under the shadow of the Throne ! 

The same Brother A., while conducting cases of discipline 
in his Lodge, was a very Rhadamanthus in manner, though 
kind enough at the bottom. No special pleading could move 
him from his rock, no insult, had any one dared offer it, could 
have made him forget his dignity. He carried his gravity of 
manner into the Grand Lodge, and it carried him from the 
floor to the Deputy Grand Mastership, and thence, naturally 
enough, to the Grand East. So much for our first picture. 

The second one introduces Bro. B. A good, genial fellow 
he was, and a hard student. He had been twice or thrice 
Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence in 
his Grand Lodge, a station which makes the ready Mason, 
if any thing can. He had held office in the Grand Lodge, 
where he was justly esteemed for his large heart and well filled 



SPECIAL HELP. 



39 



mind. But in our visit to his Lodge, we were simply disgusted 
with his want of Dignity. He sat with coat off and feet upon 
the table before him. He was " hail fellow, well met" with 
his Lodge, each member of which took every imaginable lib- 
erty with him, and at the same time despised him. The 
Lodge wilted under his mismanagement, and has never re- 
covered its tone of former honor and respect. 

In looking back upon our personal acquaintances, we believe 
that every Master whom we recollect for his successful hand- 
ling of the Gavel, was a man of personal Dignity while in the 
East. The gentleman who presided at our own making was 
pre-eminently so. Charles Scott was remarkable for this. James 
Penn was a model of personal deportment. Wm. B. Hubbard 
is remembered by all who ever saw him preside for this valued 
quality. 

If any special advice under this head is desired, we venture 
to lay down the following : 

1. Never permit yourself. to perpetrate a jest while in the 
East. The readiness with which a laugh can be excited by 
the Master is a dangerous temptation, and is to be carefully 
avoided. 

2, Allow no infringement of decorum in the Lodge to pass 
by unnoticed and unrebuked. It is not always necessary that 
rebukes should be public, but they should be thorough. An 
occasional reading of the Ancient Charges under this head 
will be found suggestive, especially the following passages ; 
u You are not to hold private committees or separate convex 



40 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER'S 

sation without leave from the Master, nor to talk of anything 
impertinent or unseemly, or interrupt the Master or Wardens, 
or any Brother speaking to the Master; nor behave yourself 
hilariously or jestingly while the Lodge is engaged in what is 
serious and solemn, nor use any unbecoming language upon 
any pretense whatever, but to pay due reverence to your 
Master." . 

3. In all your acts and words, consider yourself as represent- 
ing another and a nobler character. The Master is not elected 
to be merely a Chairman or Presiding Officer of a society. If 
he were, it would be sufficient that he simply keep order and 
push the business through. But he assumes a different name 
and character, becomes covenanted by new ties and assumes 
responsibilities to a different power (the Grand Lodge,) from 
his fellow members. 

But it is much easier to describe Dignity than Tact. Tact 
is defined to be "peculiar skill or faculty: nice perception or 
discernment." It is the gift of doing tlie right thing at the right 
time, and without it no Master can be eminently successful. 
A Master of Tact rarely offends a fellow member, because 
though his decisions may be adverse, his manner is so winning, 
his words so gentle that no rational offense can be taken. 
Formerly the By-laws of Lodges were not extended to embrace 
"the Order of Business," for it was deemed proper to entrust 
the time and distribution of business to the Tact of the 
Master: this is but right, seeing that he alone is held respon- 
sible by the Grand Lodge. Such a Master will get through 



SPECIAL HELP. 41 

more business in an hour, and do it better tharfothers without 
this practical Tact, can in two, especially if embarrassed with 
an " Order of Business," which is as much like business as the 
Georgia mountaineer's method of carrying a rock in one end 
of his meal-bag to balance the corn in the other end ! 



LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE. 

" Let your light shine," the Master said,- 

" To bless benighted man ! 
The light and truth my Spirit shed 

Are yours to shed again." 

We come, oh Lord, with willing mind, 

That knowledge to display ; 
Enlighten us, by nature blind, 

And glad we will obey. 



42 THE "VVOKSHIPFUL MASTER'S 



CHAPTER V. 



DISPENSING LIGHT AND KNOWLEDGE. 

There is no subject to be treated of in the present series 
more important than this of " dispensing light and knowl- 
edge." It refers to the highest and noblest duty'of a Master. 
It is a sacred charge twice alluded to in the Installation Ser- 
vices of a Master. " You are to propagate a knowledge of the 
Art. For a pattern of imitation, consider the great luminary 
of nature, which, rising in the East, regularly diffuses light 
and luster to all within its circle. In like manner it is your 
province to spread and communicate light and instruction to 
the Brethren of your Lodge." * It is the very salvation of 
Masonry, perpetuating it for the ages tpfcome as it has been 
perpetuated from the ages past. It secures to each visitor to 
the Lodge " wages," ample to reward his coming. It vitalizes 
the entire body of the membership, calling out their good 
deeds of charity and fellowship. It is the all-in-all of 
Masonry, f 



* Miniature Monitor, pp. 155 and 161. The general dissem- 
ination of this cheap and perfect copy of Webb's original Mon- 
itor, will do much to reduce the Master's labors in this direction. 

\ So the fathers one and all viewed it. Head some lines from 
one of the earlier editions of Webb's Monitor, in which the 
coming to Lodge " to hear Lectures" was given as the most 
laudable end a Mason could pursue. 



SPECIAL HELP. 43 

In the programme which was suggested to you in the first 
Chapter of this series, you were suposed to make these reso- 
lutions : "That I will endeavor to allure my brethren to 
attend all the meetings of the Lodge by the allurements of 
abundant Masonic instruction for their wages." 

" That I will at all times and by all means seek for the ancient 
Work ami Lectures of Masonry and be satisfied with nothing 
less."-~Now let us see how you can best fulfill these laudable 
purposes. 

First. — Set yourself fixedly against all " short ways" of 
Opening Lodge, conferring Degrees, etc. This has become 
the blight of many Lodges : in seeking to economize a few 
minutes time all the essence and spirit of the ceremonials have 
been lost. It is as if the Christian minister, in dispensing the 
Holy Sacrament should content himself with distributing the 
bread and wine, omitting all explanations and applications of 
their meaning. It is as if, in the ceremony of baptism, the 
"short way" of dispensing with prayer and blessing were 
adopted. Set it down in your mind that when your Lodge 
assembles at a Regular Meeting it must invariably be opened 
witli all ceremony and lecture. Symbolically Masons can 
only enter the Masonic Temple by entering the CJieckered Pave- 
ment, and from thence to the Middle Chamber, and from thence 
to the Sanctum Sanctorum. To get into a Master's Lodge by 
any other method is historically absurd. * To open on the 

* It recalls the comparison of Christ, wherein the robber is 
described as entering the sheepfold over tlie wcdl ; the Shep- 
herd of the sheep entering at the gate. 



44: THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER 5 S 

three Degrees in the proper way requires about a one-half 
hour's time for the three. Within that half hour is compressed 
a whole system of Masonry. Those who are present not only 
learn to open a Lodge, but to examine a candidate, to examine 
a visitor and to be examined when they journey from home. 
All this, however, has been described in the Third Chapter of 
this series and need not be recapitulated here. 

That half hour regularly occupied in this way once a month 
from year to } T ear is the very salt of the Lodge. It will in 
itself make the members " bright," even though they never 
have a Degree to confer, or a visitor to examine. * It is the 
" blessed half hour," as an old Mason styles it, "of Masonic 
light and knowledge." 

In all your instructions as Master, confine yourself as rigidly 
to manner as to matter. That is, confine yourself to the cate- 
chetical system of instruction. Let all the technical knowl- 
edge you impart, (that is the knowledge of the Rituals,) be 
dispensed by question and answer. There is no other method 
so ancient, so easy, so natural or so successful. By this system 
you can always tell when you are right and the entire Lodge 
becomes a trained critic upon your performances. The old 
Masons used to number the questions and answers as children 
do while learning the catechism. The plan is followed in 
" The Miniature Monitor," which is coming into very general 



* This term " bright" was originally employed as the highest 
compliment that could be paid a Mason. 



4ft 

SPECIAL HELP. 

use. Adopting this idea it would require fifty-five questions 
and answers to afford the necessary instruction in opening a 
Lodge of Entered Apprentices. 

The practice of giving the Lectures in " narrative". form, 
which has fallen into considerable use, is in every point of 
view reprehensible. Not only is it a modern innovation, which 
is itself a suspicious fact, but in itself it is nnphilosophical- 
It is a constant temptation to the instructor to interpolate his 
own words, and, by an easy transition, his own ideas. No 
man is a reliable Lecturer who adopts it. No man, in any half 
dozen repetitions, will follow the same course of language or 
thought. The method is at first adopted by some to avoid 
wearisome repetition; by some to save time;* by some to 
give themselves an opportunity to show off. Neither of these 
reasons is justifiable. It is recorded of the old Lecturers, 
Preston, Webb, Cross and Cusmnan, that they never, under 
any circumstances, varied in word from question or answer 
when lecturing upon the Rituals, and that they laid as much 
stress upon manner as matter. \ 

To avoid the monotony of which some complain as a result of 
the catechetical style of instruction, you can call more of the 



* But it does not save time. Time is always best econo- 
mized when system is most employed. 

fwebb W J i„ the habit of replying to those who asked for 
explanations, endeavoring to provoke an argument, If you 
will commit to memory the Lectures, yon will know as much 
as I do." 



46 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTERS 

members of the Lodge into use to answer your questions. In 
the Monitor* it is forcibly said : " From a share in this cere- 
mony (Opening Lodge) no Mason can be exempted. It is a 
general concern, in which all must assist. . . .The intent of the 
meeting becomes the sole object of attention, and the mind is 
insensibly drawn from those indiscriminate subjects of conver- 
sation which are apt to intrude on our le^s serious moments." 
We are aware that this exhortation does not so much apply to 
the catechism as to other matters ; yet by an easy transition, it 
may be applied to that with much propriety. Some of the 
best Masters we ever saw call, in the aid of the Brethren, one 
by one, until every Brother present has responded to one or 
more questions. 

We will say further in relation to the " narrative" form of 
lecturing, that it is not so interesting to the Lodge as the cat- 
echetical form. For why do we rehearse the Lectures so fre- 
quently in the Lodge ? Is it to interest the members ? Surely 
not. They know them, that is the meaning of them, as well 
after a dozen rehearsals as they will ever know them. But 
they listen to them over and over again, from month to month, 
and from year to year, that they may eventually commit them 
to memory ', so that they may in turn repeat them when they 
travel from home, and may be competent to teach them to the 
newly-made Brethren in their own Lodge, and may be able, if 



* Miniature Monitor, p. 20. 



SPECIAL HELP. 47 

placed in official seats, to rehearse them to the Lodge or Grand 
Lodge. To secure these advantages, the catechetical form must 
be pursued ; the questions as well as the answers must be 
given. And here let us say from our own experience, that to 
learn to ask the questions in the proper language and in their 
proper order, is at least twice as difficult as to learn to answer 
them when asked. * This is an additional argument in favor 
of frequent repetitions of the questions. In the Schools 
of Instruction which have recently been held with such 
success in various States, many of the delegates who 
had fallen into the pernicious habit of the " narrative" 
style, just mentioned, became convinced of their error, and it 
was the unanimous resolve of the multitudes who participated 
in those Schools, to abandon it and adhere strictly to the old 
method. 

In dispensing light and knowledge through the Rituals, we 
advise you to do it without the use of a Monitor. Commit to 
memory every word of the Monitorial passages, out of the 
Lodge, so that they will dovetail into the esoteric passages 
and be heard by your auditory without the change of voice so 
common and so destructive to the continuity of the passages. 
One great credit at least is due to our Pennsylvania Brethren, 
and they take great credit for it ; that you rarely see a Mon- 



* A visitor has as much right to refuse to answer questions 
not in the Ritual, as you have to refuse his admission should 
he fail to answer those that are in the Ritual. 



48 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER'S 

itor in their Lodge-rooms. If one of their Masters cannot give 
the necessary instruction without referring to the book, he 
calls upon some one who can. This rule is borrowed from 
England where, Bro. E. D. Cooke informs us, you never see 
any book in the Lodge-room, save the By-Laws. We have 
many Masons equally skilled; some even who can repeat from 
memory the entire Funeral and installation services. * After 
all, this is but little more matter than every theatrical perfor- 
mer is required to commit to memory every week. Every 
school boy in an advanced class does as much every month ; 
and surely the Master, the "Model" Master, who desires to 
honor himself, his Lodge and the Craft at large, is impelled by 
an ambition as noble as that of the histrionic performer or the 
.scloolboy ! 

The difference between that style of instruction which 
seems to be extemporaneous, — which seems to come from the 
heart, — in which the Master looks into the eyes of the candi- 
date and repeats to him the elegant and forcible passages upon 
Masonic morality, science and religion, — and that other style 
in which the Master holds a book in one hand and a candle in 
the other, and endeavors through moist and smoky spectacles 
to read the same passages to him, is too great to need illus- 
tration. Who has listened to a dull Senior Deacon plodding 



* Bro F. N. Porter — we name him with a sigh — had acquired 
this practice, much to the effectiveness of his course as a Lec- 
turer. 



SPECIAL HELP. 49 

through the Second Section of the Fellow-Craft, without men- 
tally wishing the prosy utterances would come to an end ? Yet 
the same thing, repeated as if from the impulse of the moment, 
is not wearisome. 

Having said so much of the importance of exact Ritual teach- 
ing, we now proceed to answer the query : But is there no 
scope for the Master to expatiate upon these things ? Has he 
no field for the display of his historical studies, his explora- 
tions into moral science, in Bible topics? Must he confine himself 
to the mere role of a parrot and utter passages by rote until 
his soul become weary ? Our reply is, there is a boundless scope 
for a wise and intelligent Master. It lies in his explaining and 
illustrating the text. His part is that of the exact Minister 
who, taking care to quote the language of Scripture with ver- 
bal accuracy, brings all his knowledge of science and literature 
into play to illustrate and explain it. There is no limit, no 
boundary to the Master's privilege of explanation. All we ask 
of him is, that he quote the, text correctly. The sermon is his own 
affair. 

And how much maybe said in the way of illustration to the 
delight and instruction of a Lodge, is known only to those who 
have enjoyed the rare privilege of an intelligent Master. We 
have in our mind's eye one, not old in Masonry or in years, yet 
whose mind is so stored with sound reading that upon a single 
Masonic text, he pours forth a volume of matter, "new and 
old." With whom every Scripture passage illustrates a pas- 
sage of Masonic text. With whom every point of moral phil- 



50 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTERS 

osophy, every fact from the Historians of olden time, every 
discovery among the ruins of the past, has its Masonic signifi- 
cation, and to whom all the teachings of Masonry are but so 
many incentives to higher flights in celestial lore.* True it is 

not given to every Lodge to have a , yet every Master 

may derive from his general reading a flood of knowledge 
bearing upon and explanatory of the Ritual. His Botany wil j_ 
inform him what plant is the Acacia. His Geography wil 
enlighten him as to the location of Joppa and Tyre and Jeru- 
salem. His Mineralogy will explain the term " Parian marble.'' 
His Architecture will elucidate a thousand questions referable 
to King Solomon's Temple. His English Dictionary will ena- 
ble him to pronounce correctly those words, ("piques," "ar- 
chitect," etc.,) which are so apt to come in wrong shape from 
the East. His Bible, Josephus, Herodotus, etc., will make 
him in many things a full and a bright Mason. 

We recommend the practice of monthly essays on Masonic 
themes, to be prepared by the Master and such brethren as he 
may select. These should be very brief — in no case occupy- 
ing more than ten or fifteen minutes, and entirely practical. 
The conventional bore of the "Morality of Masonry," should 
be avoided and practical information substituted. These 
essays after being read should be filed in the archives of the 
Lodge as objects of value. 



* Some who do not know J. Aug. Williams, LL. D., of Har- 
rodsburg, Ky., may need to be told to whom we refer. 



SPECIAL HELP. 51 

A considerable part of the instruction due the Lodge from 
the Master lies in the reading and expounding the Proceed" 
ing of the Grand Lodge. This is unquestionably a covenanted 
duty, though so rarely attended to. And here let us remark 
that the printed documents sent out by the Grand Lodge are 
not the property of the Master and Wardens, as seems to be 
generally supposed, but of the Lodge. They are a part of the 
literary treasures of the Lodge. They should be preserved, 
bound up into volumes, made practical by indexes, numbered 
and laid up for the use of the Lodge. In the course of years 
they become invaluable. It is your duty, as soon as the Pro- 
ceedings of the Grand Lodge come to hand, to read them from 
meeting to meeting, to expound them by the light of previous 
legislation and at once to put in force the edicts and requisi- 
tions they may contain. 

As a means of instruction, the readiest and most practical at 
your hand, we advise you early in your official career to organ- 
ize a School of Instruction in your Lodge. This needs no War- 
rant or authority from the Grand Lodge, but is within the 
scope of the Master's prerogatives : nay, of any individual 
Mason. The most practical plan of a School of Instruction 
extant is found in a form of By Laws and Instructions pub^ 
lished in 1861, in Indiana. The peculiarity of the plan lies 
chiefly in making the teacher a movable officer, and a proxy 
and guideto all. The system recognizes six officers, of whom 
one serves for Tyler and Janitor, one for the Deacons, 
one for Secretary and Treasurer, one to fill the East, 



52 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTERS 

and one for each of the Warden's Stations. The real Conduc- 
tor is the second named above : he is the general prompter 
and executive. The system requires that changes in the 
various parts be so frequently made that every member of the 
School shall be called upon at every Meeting to take some part 
and give some response. The preamble of these By-Laws ex" 
plains the purposes of a School in these words: " To enlighten 
the minds of the Fraternity in this vicinity in the knowledge 
of the sublime ceremonies and instructions of the mystic art of 
Masonry, and to improve our hearts under the Divine influence 
of Brotherly Love, Relief and truth, Temperance, Fortitude, 
Prudence and Justice, we have united ourselves into a Masonic 
School of Instruction and do agree to be bound by the follow- 
ing By-Laws and Rules of Order during our connection there, 
with." 

At each meeting of such a School there are eight depart- 
ments of business to be attended to : 

1. The Exemplification of Examining a Visitor. 

2* The Exemplification of Opening a Lodge on some one 
Degree. 

o. The Rehearsal of the three Altar Charges. 

4. The Exemplification of the Winding Stairs, 

5. The Rehearsal of the Funeral Oration. 

6. Miscellaneous Business. 

7. The Exemplification of Calling off and Calling on a Lodge 
in one Degree. 



SPECIAL HELP. 53 

8. The Exemplification of Closing a Lodge on some one 
Degree. 

Exactly two hours are consumed in these exercises, and the 
results of such a School, regularly maintained for a few months, 
may be summoned up in these words which we quote ; " Every 
Member of this School can examine a Visitor ; every Member 
can stand an Examination ; every Member ean Examine a 
Candidate ; every Member can open and close the Lodge." 
But if only one result were attained, if only each officer of the 
Lodge would learn his duty and response, it were well worth 
the time and trouble of maintaining the School for a few 
months. 

The beauty and sublimity of the Masonic Drama are such as 
to arouse the desire of excellence in its exhibition to the 
highest pitch. There is nothing outside the lids of the Bible so 
grand, solemn, sublime, as the Dramatic lessons that make up 
the life of a Mason from his first alarm at the Northwest cor- 
ner of the Lodge to the moment the " clods of the valley" and 
the " green sprigs of the grove" are dropped upon his coffin. 
There is a perfect sequence to each ceremony explaining the 
last and suggesting the next ; there is a practical thought in 
each symbol gaveling the whole harmony together. All point 
to higher attainments in the present life, and trust in God for 
the life to come. All suggest kindness to our fellow man as 
the best means of pleasing God ; and of pleasing God as the 
highest source of human happiness. Is not the post of Hiero- 
phant of these mysteries then a noble one ? Is there not 



54 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER 1 S 

enough to reward the ambition of the most learned and intel- 
ligent man in the thought that by due study and practice he 
may worthily display these mysteries to his fellows ? 

There is yet another sorb of "light and knowledge'' which it 
is the duty of the Master to dispense. We allude to out-door 
instruction. The Monitor provides for a course of teaching to 
the world without. This is conveyed in the form of public In- 
stallations, of Corner-Stone Deposits, Dedications of Halls and 
Public Edifices, and the Burial of the Dead. How often these 
impressive forms are made nought in the sight of the people, 
we need not say. We feel assured that as a whole, Masonry is 
more damaged than benefited by them ; that more people are 
deterred from uniting with us than allured, by what they see 
of our ceremonies. But this is not attributable to any defect 
in the ceremony, but in the conductor of the]ceremony. Let 
it be your charge, oh, Model Master, when you lead forth a 
band of Masons from the tyled precincts of the Lodge, to dis- 
play the beauty and grace of Masonic symbolisms to an admir- 
ing world. Be yourself thoroughly instructed in the meaning 
of these public displays. They are designed to remove preju" 
dices, to conquer opponents, to call out friends. They are the 
very seed of the future Lodge. The boys and young men who 
gaze upon them are those who are to handle the mystic imple- 
ments after we are dead. The females whose acute eye watch 
your proceedings, are the future mothers of those who will 
buildup or pull down your Lodge. It has been said, " that 
one good Mason properly interred Jbrings forth twelve to the 



SPECIAL HELP. 55 

future honor of the Lodge." We have seen a corner-stone 
properly planted by less than thirty Masons, produce twice 
thirty before the hall was ready for dedication. 

And, finally for this chapter, bear in mind that the best and 
only lawful means of electioneering for the next election to the 
Mastership and to the Grand Mastership, is found in this very 
ability to dispense Masonic light and knowledge correctly, 
gracefully and abundantly. 



YEARNINGS. 

Brothers, when o'er my head 
The silent dust is spread, 

And this poor heart its quiverings shall forbear, 
Where'er my body lie, 
Though far the Grave away, 

I would, dear Brothers, be remembered here ! 

Brothers, when tender sighs 

Around me shall- arise, 
And speak of what I did, or fain would do, 

Such honest, truthful words, 

As Masons' tongue affords, 
I would, dear Brothers, have rehearsed by you / 



50 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTEK S 



CHAPTER VI. 



ATTENDING GRAND LODGE. 

A Mason's relation to his Grand Lodge is a thing but little 
understood. Its importance is largely overestimated in some 
quarters ; in others it is as largely underestimated. By some 
the Grand Lodge is viewed as a power of boundless extent, 
and its deliverances, often adopted by insignificant majorities 
and for unworthy ends, as so many oracles. By others it is 
viewed as only an annual representative conclave met to ar- 
range the financial affairs of the Craft and settle cases of 
discipline appealed to it. Neither of these extremes of 
opinion is right : the truth lies between. 

A concise definition of Grand Lodge powers is thus given : 
" It is supreme within its Constitution." That is, it may visit 
with penalties of Expulsion all derelictions from the rales 
established within its Constitution, and other Grand Lodges 
the world over will justify and sustain it in so doing, provided 
nothing is assumed, in its Constitution beyond the ancient Land- 
marks.* This definition forbids any Grand Lodge legislation 



* It is vitally important that this latter distinction be made. 
All powers assumed in excess of this are not merely surplus- 
age, they are despotism. In our visits to Grand Lodges we 
have been shocked at the deliberate like assumptions of uncon- 



SPECIAL HELP. 57 

outside of the ancient landmarks and secures to it competent 
powers to enforce its deliverances within those bounds. Every 
Mason will love, honor and obey his Grand Lodge whether 
from fear or love ; from love because the Grand Lodge is his 
Masonic mother ; from fear because the Grand Lodge is his 
Masonic ruler.* 

The Model Master during his whole term will keep his mind 
upon the duty of preparing for Grand Lodge. He will see 
that the Secretary properly transcribes all papers and reports 
designed for that body. If cases have been appealed, he will 
look over the transcripts and correct them where needed. 
The Annual Report with its footings-up will have his inspec- 
tion, and the proper dues to Grand Lodge will be taken by 
him from the Treasurer and borne to the Grand Secretary. 
Having seen to it in due season that the last annual Proceed- 
ings of Grand Lodge have been read and explained to the 
Lodge, he will see that votes be properly taken and recorded 
upon such propositions,-if any, as may have been submitted to 



stitutional powers, claimed by Masons whose general learning 
and experience should have warned them from the rock upon 
which so many wrecks have been made. In general we may 
say that for every unconstitutional claim made by a Grand 
Lodge it forfeits a corresponding portion of the love, fear and 
respect of its constituents, 

* If in our free comments upon Grand Lodge errors we seem 
to be deficient in respect for that body, we beg leave to depre- 
cate such a judgment. None respects more highly or will make 
more sacrifices of everything but landmarks to sustain it. One 
may love the person and yet dislike the failings of another. 



58 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTERS 

the subordinate Lodges. If important questions of Masonic 
law or duty are to be settled by Grand Lodge, he will be sure 
to gather the wishes of his Lodge in relation to them, that he 
may render his vote accordingly. Without this assurance he 
cannot be said to represent his Lodge at all. Too often the 
Grand Lodge is made up of members who represent nothing 
but their own views, and these shaped by the craft of a few 
master-minds experienced in wire-working and log-rolling.* 

The Model Master will of course make himself thoroughly 
familiar with the Constitution of his Grand Lodge. Without 
it he is afloat on the sea of events without sail or helm. The 
best Masters of our acquaintance have committed the princi- 
pal portions of that important document to memory; such 
can never be taken by surprise to be made to vote in the dark- 
To study this subject well, read the thirty-nine Articles com- 
piled first by George Payne, A. D. 1720, and approved by the 



* If not, whence this continual change in Grand Lodge leg- 
islation ? Why does this session vote down the proceedings 
of the last ? There is nothing in meteorology more fluctua- 
ting and uncertain than Grand Lodge legislation ! Does any 
one think this would be so were delegates truly to represent 
their Lodges ? If Masters would take pains to learn the senti- 
ments of the brethren upon propositions this evil might be 
remedied. 

The G. L. of England (likewise Canada,) has a custom that 
might well be initiated here : Every question that is to come 
before Grand Lodge is noted down upon an Agenda paper and 
made known to the Lodge several months before Grand Lodge 
assembles. Thus no question can be suddenly sprung upon the 
brethren there, as with us, — and the overpowering influence 
of the few practiced members is comparatively nullified. 



SPECIAL HELP. 



59 



Grand Lodge of England, Dec. 27, 1721. Out of these 39 
Articles more than 25 are directed to the government, powers 
and duties of the Grand Lodge and its officers.* Three of 
these conclusions are most important : 

1. All the tools used in Working shall be approved by the 
Grand Lodge. f 

2. Appeals from the decisions of Lodges are to the Grand 
Lodge. 

3. The Grand Lodge cannot change the ancient landmarks. 
The ancient title given to the Grand Lodge (Assemblie) is 

suggestive of all that social joy, unrestrained communication, 
leveling of varied ranks and harmony of diverse interests that 
make up the inestimable advantages of Grand Lodge meetings. 
We have rarely failed to find in Grand Lodges an air of cheer- 
fulness pervading the sittings. If no other advantages ac- 
crued to Masonry from these annual meetings than that of 
making Masons better acquainted with each other it would 
justify even greater trouble and expense. Friendships are 
there established more lasting than time. Hearts are cemented 



* A glance at the ordinary legislation of Grand Lodges will 
show that very many of their deliverances are in direct violation 
not only of the ancient landmarks but of their own Constitu- 
tions. 

f This implies that the moral and spiritual doctrines taught 
"in the Lodge can not be exceeded or diminished beyond the 
standard set by the Grand Lodge ; that Grand Lodge, as in the 
3d Rule, being itself restricted to the standard of the ancient 
landmarks. 



60 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER^ 

together that would otherwise revolve in a remote relationship. 
Other advantages result ; jarring ideas are reconciled ; comets 
reduced to planets ; crude and imperfect theories corrected ; 
innovations frowned down ; errors adjusted ; appeals heard 
and adjudicated; light on Masonry disseminated ; and best of 
all, peace and harmony are made to prevail throughout the 
bounds of the entire jurisdiction. 

As far back as the XlVth century these results of Grand 
Lodge assemblages were anticipated and the following Ordi- 
nance established : u Once a year ye are to assemble together 
to consult how ye may best work to serve the Craft and to 
your own profit and credit." It gives no shallow insight into 
the ancient purity of Masonic labor to know that the" same 
authority which ordained the above rule also declared : " Ye 
shall be true to and love each other. Ye shall call each other 
Brother or Fellow, not Slave or any unkind name. . . .Ye shall 

truly deserve your reward of the Master ye serve Each 

Brother shall treat the peculiarities of the other with the 
gentleness, decency and forbearance he claims for his own. . . . 
Ye shall have reasonable pay and live honestly." Happy in 
any age the Masonic constituency that has a Grand Lodge to 
ordain and enforce such precepts ! 

The amenities of Grand Lodge gatherings are well expressed 
in the following passage: "The company of Masons, being 
otherwise termed Free masons, of ancient standing and good 
reckoning by means of affable and kind meetings, divers times 
and as a loving brotherhood use to do, did frequent this mu- 



SPECIAL -H ELF* 61 

tual Assembly (the Grand Lodge) in the time of Henry VI., in 
the Xllth year of his reign, (A. D. 1434.)" 

If we have been successful in the present article we have 
given our readers a foretaste of peculiar pleasure to be en- 
joyed at Grand Lq^ge. Shall we now point out how you may 
be useful and honored ? You will find, as a general rule, a 
few old members of Grand Lodge claiming on the score of 
long experience a large share of the government, attention 
and honors. Now, the business of a Grand Lodge is in itself 
so simple, so easy, so clearly defined by its own Constitution 
that this is not a necessary consequence in a Grand Lodge. 
Every member should claim his share in what is going on, for 
one member shoulders as much responsibility as another. No 
question should be allowed more than its proper attention be- 
cause offered by an influential man, and no question should 
have less than its merited attention because offered by a new- 
comer, or a non-influential man. With such a rule as this in 
view, every delegate will be able to keep his mind upon a due 
balance, and the system of cliques, too common in Grand ' 
Lodges, will be broken up in his. The solemn reservation that 
you made in your Installation Covenant, viz. : " You admit 
that it is not in the power of any man or body of men to make 
innovations in the body of Masonry," will be your justification 
for any protest against unconstitutional legislation. 

One of the first things that will strike your attention at 
Grand Lodge is the singular and often comical attachment of 
its old members to what we shall call, for want of a better 



62 

name "local landmarks," or peculiar observances. Every 
Grand Lodge has them. How they originated nobody knows ; 
but as no two Grand Lodges have the same, it is easy to see 
that they are spurious. We shall not describe them here, — ■ 
indeed many of them are esoteric — but "will say in general 
terms that whatever a Grand Lodge has which is different from 
all others, is local and not authoritative. While a decent respect 
for your Masonic mother requires you to observe and conform 
to them while there, yet you will do your Lodge at home much 
mischief if you transplant them. 

In selecting officers for the Grand Lodge you will of course 
be influenced by the ancient and established rule, and vote for 
no one " for seniority, but only for merit." No other rule is 
safe. 

We close this article by quoting XV. Rules, by which a 
Master and consequently a Grand Master may be tested : 

Rule 1. — TJie Master must be a moral and a good man. — He is 
an exemplar to his flock. " Like master like man" is a rule 
older than JEsop, wiser than Plato. If in his daily walks and 
conversation he fails to practice out of the Lodge what he 
teaches in it, his labor is vain, his seat is practically empty ; 
his Lodge is a body without a head. 

How absurd as a practical idea that of electing an immoral 
man, a blasphemer, drunkard, licentious man, etc., to the east ! 

Nothing is so destructive to the growth in numbers, the in- 
crease in finances, the standing in point of honor, or the social 
enjoyments of the Craft at labor or refreshment as the in- 



SPECIAL HELP. 63 

fluence of an immoral head. The stream can not rise higher 
than the fountain. 

A Lodge never will be better than its Master, who is viewed 
by the community as the embodiment of the Order when 
visible on public occasions. 

Rule 2. — Tlie Master must be a law-abiding man. — In all the 
riots and mobs, in all the exhibitions of Lynch law, in all the 
violations of statute and common law with which our country 
at times is afflicted, the Master of a Lodge should be found on 
the conservative side. He must never be chargeable with an 
infraction of the citizen's duty, but cheerfully conform to the 
laws of the country in which he resides and dilligently teach 
others so. With what propriety else can he say to his Initiates 
that " Masonry interferes with no duty a man owes to his 
country." 

Rule. 3. — The Master of a Lodge must be no Conspirator.— 
Midnight treasons, secret plots, schemes of self-aggrandize- 
ment at the expense of one's country — all these are abhorrent 
to the sense of him who appreciates that he is solemnly pledged 
to the responsible duty of the Masonic East. It is his part to 
prove to a vigilant government that the secrecy of Masonry is 
not the secrecy of an assassin ; that its bonds are not bonds 
of piracy ; that its wages are not the thirty pieces of silver of 
a Judas. 

Rule 4. — Tlie Master of a Lodge must be of good report 
before all men. — In the nervous language of our Monitors, " he 
must work diligently, live creditably, and act honorably by all 



64 

men." It is this that will recommend our Fraternity to the 
hearts of a moral world ; it is this that will afford him the 
means of disseminating that charity to the distressed so often 
demanded, so acceptable to the Most High, so self-rewarding 
to the philanthropic giver. But if the Master be idle or ex- 
travagant he holds up the body of which he is the acknowl- 
edged head as a fit object of contempt. 

Rule 5. — Tlie Master must be meek and temperate. — " Meek 
as Moses, temperate as the sons of Rechab," are prime recom* 
mendations of him who sits on Solomon's seat. His gavel is 
supposed to have knocked all the rough corners from its build- 
er's mind and conscience, and brought him the golden rewards 
of self-discipline. Therefore his brethren will honor him. 

Rule 6. — Tlie Master of the Lodge must be cautious, courteous 
and faithful and must practice self-government— In his behavior 
cautious ; lest the vigilant eye mark the weak spot, the flawy 
place, and disgrace follow his relations to his Masonic 
Brethren. Courteous ; for have they not chosen him, honored 
him, promised to obey him, and thus earned his grateful po- 
liteness and fraternal love in his relations to the Lodge ? 
Faithful, for he is pledged before God so to be ; he is esoteri- 
cally and exoterically bound by every tie that can shackle an 
honest man so to be. All the precepts of the Sinaitic law are 
so many injunctions to self-government which he must consider 
as directed to himself; every speculative application of an oper- 
ative implement he must nulre to his own mind, and so skill- 
ful must he be in this shadowy use of Masonic tools as that 



SPECIAL HELP. 65 

nothing but death can divest him of his title : a Master in 
Israel. 

Rule. 7. — The Master of the Lodge must possess an ardent 
love for genuine Masonry. — To this end he must learn to abhor 
all imposters, and discountenance all innovations. Being able 
by affection, study and experience to distinguish the pure gold 
from the base, he must have a genuine admiration for the pure 
and honest, and contempt for the base in Masonry. It is a 
bad sign to see the Master of the Lodge seeking with a pru- 
rient curiosity, the shallow pools of imitative associations. 
Rather should his heart, soul and mind be seen engrossed in 
the work to which he has pledged his best energies, that of 
Free -Masonry. 

. Rule 8. — The Master of the Lodge must respect his superiors 
in Masonry. — How shall he be obeyed who has not himself 
learned the duty of obedience. Out of the three sources of 
authority upon which the Master predicates his right to govern, 
two are from above viz. : The Grand Lodge through its charter, 
the Deity through His Word. Thus while he commands 
once he obeys twice. 

Rule 9. — The Master of the Lodge must be a zealot. — It is his 
part to propagate the knowledge of Masonry far and wide. 

He is the apostle of this Gospel ; close in debate, exact in 
logic ; well read in exoteric knowledge ; familiar with man- 
kind ; who so fit as he to battle against opposition and over* 
come it. 



66 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTERS 

None of your cold blooded indifference in the east of a Ma- 
sonic Lodge. 

Rule 10. — The Master of the Lodge must be versed in the 
Landmarks of Masonry. — He must often " walk around Jeru- 
salem" and mark the bulwarks thereof! he must know his 
ground well, how far the pillars are from the center — and if 
one be removed by accident or design, raise the warning voice 
without delay, that it be restored. 

Rule 11. — Hie Master of the Lodge must be a lour of old 
time things.—Progressiveness, in the modern sense of the 
term, has no meaning in Masonry. 

The religion of Abraham was " to learn the will of God;" 
to perform it followed in his mind in due course. The Masonry 
of a true craftsman is to know tlie Landmarks. 

He will assuredly love them and obey them. 

Rule 12. — The Master of the Lodge must be zealous of its 

honor. — He will cherish its chastity as a thing, like a virgin's, 

above reproach. 

Visitors and applicants for membershipjvill be received with 
zealous scrutiny, and only when perfectly known, will they be 

permitted to enjoy the honors and rewards accumulated with 

so much toil and care in the Masonic Lodge. 

Rule. 13. — The Master of the Lodge must communicate 
stcdedly with the Grand Lodge. — He must be one who has the 
ability and the mind to attend the sessions of that body be it 
far or near. 

Ruue 14. — The Master of the Lodge will brook no clandestine 



SPECIAL HELP. 67 

neighbors. — Feeling the importance of Masonic purity, he has 
no heart or hand for the Samaritans, whose tribe and kindred 
are polluted, or whose genealogy can not be traced up. 

Rule Id.— The Master of the Lodge mil maintain the regular- 
ity °f tf ie Masonic systemtas an essential portion of itself. — " A 
place for everything and everthing in its place," "nothing in 
Masonry without a rational explanation," are as lamps to his 
feet. 



A PARTING HYMN* 

Refreshed with angels' food we go, 
To serve Thee in thy work below ; 
Trusting, when Sabbath-rest is given, 
To share Thy richer joys in Heaven* 

Then, bind our willing souls in one ; 
Confirm the Covenants here begun ; 
Each day those vows more sacred be, 
Cemented in eternity. 



68 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER' S 



CHAPTER VII. 



PUBLIC DEMONSTRATIONS. 

The ability to display the Masonic Brethren properly before 
the world is a very different and far more difficult thing than 
the ability to go creditably through the "Master's part" in a 
public exhibition. The latter can be done and is done by very 
many Masters who do not aspire to the name of u Model ," the 
former is worthy the study of a " Model Master," even the 
best. It is a rare thing in the world ; so rare that we have 
never seen it more than a short half dozen times in our life. 
The present Chapter will be devoted to this theme. 

There are only five occasions on which Masons, as such, 
should come out in public. They are these : 

First. — In the burial of a deceased Mason who died in 
affiliation with his Lodge, and died an honorable death. 

Second. — In planting the Corner Stone of a Masonic edifice, 
or some public edifice or structure, such as a Town Hall, Canal 
Lock, Monument, Bridge, or Harbor structure, Rail Road 
building, etc., etc. 

Third. — In dedicating a Masonic Hall. 

Fourth. — In consecrating a new Lodge and installing its 
officers. Likewise in installing the officers of any Lodge. 



SPECIAL HELP. 69 

Fifth. — In celebrating the St. John's Days by Procession, 
Address and Feast. 

We will comment upon each of these in the order given. 
"We place the Funeral Service first, on account of its frequency 
in practice, although the Monitor, for good reasons, sets it last. 

The Model Master will not wait until the shaft of death 
reaches one of his Brethren before he studies the Funeral ser- 
vice. One of the best of the class who has honored the East 
of his Lodge, and the Grand East of his jurisdiction, began 
on the day of his election to commit to memory the Funer- 
al "Invocations" and "Responses." The most intelligent 
Masters we ever heard, make it a matter of duty to commit 
the whole " Service" to memory, so that no book or aid 
will be needed in public. This we always recommend. You 
will not make a good display of yourself or the craft before 
the world, if you have to read aloud from the Monitor. 

When the message comes " A Column is broken : a Brother 
is dead !" the Model Master will make it a point to get if pos- 
sible every member of his Lodge to attend the Funeral ; like- 
wise as many from neighboring Lodges as practicable. Less 
than fifty Masons do not make a good public display, though 
we often have to put up with half the number. Demitted 
Masons are not wanted on these occasions (or in fact any 
other) and you will not invite them, though if they come they 
can not well be thrust aside. If possible, fill all the pro tern. 
offices for the occasion with members of your own Lodge. 

See that your Lodge is open and ready for duty at the hour 



70 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTERS 

previously appointed by the family of the deceased. It is a 
public scandal, frequent enough, that on such occasions the 
Lodge is shamefully tardy. 

Allow no other Society to precede you or to take the Burial 
Service out of your hands. Refuse to attend the Funeral at 
all, as Masons, unless the Masonic Fraternity is allowed its 
ancient prerogative. It is consummate impudence in modern 
Societies whose only merits are borrowed from Masonry, 
to assume the Burial of our dead with their manufactured 
Rites. 

Select your very best man for Marshal. Nay, if you cannot 
get a " very best" man for that office give the gavel to your 
Senior Warden and take the baton (that is, act as Marshal) 
yourself. More depends on the skill, activity and fidelity of 
that officer in making public demonstrations effective than 
upon all the other officers united.* Instruct your Lodge care- 



* See the directions in the Miniature Monitor, pp. 124 
el seq. under this head. They are full and explicit. The 
prefatory remarks in that work concerning Funerals, are here 
quoted: "The solemn and impressive rite of Burial is admit- 
tedly the most instructive ceremony known to Masonry. It is 
so arranged in its symbolisms as to convey the great doctrines 
of Masonry — morality, benevolence, sympathy, brotherly love, 
the immortality of the soul and the resurrection of the body. 
It teaches the power of Love to overreach the tomb, and to 
write upon the tablets of the human heart all the good deeds 
of a departed Brother. In practice, the Funeral Service of 
Masons is not usually well given. It is rarely the case, that 
suitable attention is paid to its details ; and oftener the un- 
skilful manner in which the Ceremonial is performed wounds 
and disappoints beholders.'' 



SPECIAL HELP. 71 

fully before the) 7 go out in public to observe the strictest deco- 
rum, to avoid all conversation, to march in orderly manner, 
and to give the strictest attention to the orders of the Marshal. 
Of course, such indecencies as smoking, laughter, leaving the 
ranks, and the like, if you have any members mean enough to 
commit them, must be sternly forbidden. 

Bear in mind, that if you act as Master on the occasion, 
your place is necessarily and at all times, until you reach the 
grave, in the rear. Therefore, whatever irregularities may oc- 
cur, you are helpless to correct them, save through the Marshal. 
You are, in fact, so situated as to be incapable of knowing a 
tithe of the improprieties that occur until it is too late to cor- 
rect them. Our own mortification and anguish at being obliged, 
on a certain occasion, to walk a mile through a great city in 
the rear of a procession, without the ability to correct a thous- 
and irregularities in plain view of us, because the Marshal 
persisted in marching before the Tyler, gives us a keen ap- 
preciation of what Masters, must suffer who, are afflicted 
with ignorant or intractable Marshals. The proper instruc- 
tions to your Marshal are " keep in motion from the head of 
the column to the foot, and communicate personally with me 
at least as often as every ten minutes." This constant motion 
by the Marshal, enables him to see and correct irregularities 
as they occur: these frequent conferences with the Master in- 
form him of his duty relative thereto. In general, the pro- 
cession will fall into good array, and begin to make a creditable 
display by the time they have marched a quarter of a mile , 



72 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER'S 

that is, if you have a good Marshal to direct them. Take care 
that the pace is not too swift, a frequent fault. 

At the grave, let your addresses, prayers, invocations, etc., 
be grave and dignified. The Public Grand Honors must be 
done slowly or they will appear ridiculous. On the return 
home allow no straying from the ranks, and give no Brother 
leave to withdraw without the best of reasons by him rendered. 

Do not allow your Lodge to use any Burial Service save that 
in Webb's Monitor unless, indeed, your Grand Lodge requires 
it, which does not occur in many jurisdictions. Cross, in 
his Chart, has done mischief, followed by other publishers 
in the same line, in making changes and innovations here. All 
that matter of throwing an Apron into the grave is to be dis- 
carded. There is a simplicity and fitness in Webb's Service 
vainly sought elsewhere. Use that and nothing else, oh, 
Model Master ! 

In the ceremony of planting a Corner Stone* the same gen- 
eral principles are applicable. To secure an efficient Marshal 
is always the first requisite. Other things being equal, mili- 
tary men make the best. Give your Marshal as many assistants 
as he may desire. If the procession includes civic parades, 
military, etc., each department must have its own Marshal and 
Assistants, all to be subject to a Chief Marshal, who should 
be, a Mason. In all mixed processions the Masonic de- 



* The term " Planting" is growing into popular favor, It is 
elegantly appropriate. 



SPECIAL HELP. 73 

parturient must come last in line. If this post of honor is 
denied you, we advise you to refuse to permit your Lodge to 
join in the ceremonial. The dignity and honor of the Craft 
demand this of you, and no Model Master will prove recreant. 
We were once, to our disgrace, compelled to walk in a Corner 
Stone procession in which the Masonic portion was placed, we 
think intentionally, perhaps only ignorantly, inferior to the 
youngest of all the imitative Societies present ; and this too, 
when the proposed Monument was that of a distinguished 
Mason, a Past Grand Master ! Never again will we submit to 
such a disgrace.f 

The ceremonies of Dedication, Consecration and Installation 
require no further advice than that already given. In all cases 
where the Craft is to come publicly forth, it will be well to re- 
collect that if you make an effective display of your Lodge 
you will be likely to increase your numbers by the increment 
of many good and desirable men of the community. It is the 
very life and growth of a Lotlge to show itself properly before 
the world. 

In preparing for the ceremony of Festivals the Model Master 
will see that suitable toasts are prepared, and when practicable, 
experienced Brethren designated to respond to them. The 
-Lodge should be especially notified that they do not go to the 



f Our rule has ever been to submit silently to the orders of 
the day. But this has led us into errors which have been 
copied to our own confusion by those of our friends who sup- 
pose we always do lohat toe think is right. We do what we are 
ordered, and show up errors afterwards. 



74 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER'S 

table for eating and drinking only, but to share that mental 
refreshment, those social joys that make up the burden of the 
old Masonic songs, and that formed so large a part of the 
pleasures of Masonry in days gone by. Designate persons to 
sing. Call forth volunteer sentiments. Seek for original 
Odes and thoughts in any form. Make your Banquet a thing 
to be remembered for something else than the indigestion and 
stomach-pains that follow the " eat-and-run-away" dinners, of 
which we have so often partaken. Several hours can be profit- 
ably spent at a Masonic Banquet when properly conducted. 

Y\ r e wholly disapprove of mixed parties at Masonic Banquets. 
The presence of wife, daughter, sister, and sweetheart, how- 
ever agreeable elsewhere, is not an addition to the pleasure of 
these occasions. Things ought to be said, things will be said at 
such times that have reference to the secrets of Masonry. A 
word to the wise is sufficient. Our Canadian Brethren under- 
stand these matters better than we Americans do, and they 
take care to tyle their Masonic Banquets and give themselves 
ample time to enjoy them. 

We conclude the present Chapter with the general remark, 
that whatever is worth doing at all, is worth doing well. If it 
is thought proper for you to lead your Lodge forth in public to 
meet the scrutiny of eyes, friendly and unfriendly, it is more 
than proper that you should do it in a manner to reflect credit 
and not discredit upon them and the Society at large. A 
Funeral well conducted, has been known to bring twelve good 
applicants knocking at the door of the Lodge. A Corner- 



SPECIAL HELP. 75 

stone duly planted, has changed the sentiment of an entire un- 
masonic neighborhood. A Banquet well managed, has ce- 
mented together, in happy and useful bonds, a disjointed and 
unfruitful Lodge membership. 



A city set upon a hill 

Cannot be hid ; 
Exposed to every eye, it will 
Over surrounding plain and vale, 

An influence shed ; 
And spread the light of peace afar, 
Or blight the land with horrid war. 

Each Masons' Lodge is planted so 

For high display ; 
Each is a beacon light, to show 
Life's weary wanderers, as they go, 

The better way ; 
To show, by ties of earthly love, 
How perfect is the Lodge above. 

Be this your willing task, dear friends, 

While laboring here ; 
Borrow from Him who kindly lends 
The heavenly Ladder that ascends 

The higher sphere ; 
And let the world your progress see, 
Upward, by Faith, Hope, Charity. 



76 THE WOKSHIPFUL MASTER'S 



CHAPTER VIII. 



THE FURNITURE OF A LODGE. 

There is a portion of the third section of the Entered Ap- 
prentice's Lecture which runs in this wise : "The furniture of 
a Lodge is the Holy Bible, Square and Compass."" Judging 
from the meagerness of the furnishing of some Lodges we 
have visited, it would appear that some Brethren think the 
above is all the furniture a Lodge needs. So shabby, so con- 
temptible is the appearance of many Masonic halls that we are 
sure the foot of woman never treads them ; that no eye ever 
views them by daylight ; that no disposing, directing hand of 
Steward is ever busy about them. For nearly three hundred 
days of the year the mice and insects have their own way 
Will the reader pardon us for quoting a description of one 
of these u foul nests" taken from our own memorandum book 
of " things we have witnessed." 

"The appearance of the Hall of Lodge, No. , 



"We caution our readers against the wretched innovation 
of styling the Compass Compasses. As well call scissors scis- 
sorses! Bible lan°;ua2;e and Masonic lano'uasje alike aoree in 

CD Cj <D CD O 

the word Compass. Read Isaiah xliv, 13: "The carpenter 
stretcheth out his rule ; he marketh it out with the line / he 
fitteth it yvith 2)lanes, and he marketh it out with the compass." 



SPECIAL HELP. 77 

merits the severest condemnation. It is exactly what every 
Lodge rooni is that is never swept or garnished. From the 
lowermost step of the stairs, which ascend outside the house, 
under a sort of shed roof, to the uppermost step of the three 
that ascend the Dais, dirt of every variety of cohesion and 
color abounds. All the farming lands in the county appear to 
be represented in these deposits of mother earth. The Bible 
is foul with pollution. The aprons trailing here and there on 
the floor can in no wise be made u to protect the garments of 
the workmen ;" they would rather soil them with their contact. 
There is no G over the East, no Sheaf over the South, no 
Columns in the West and South. The Lodge possesses no 
Rods for its Deacons, . nor Pillars, nor Carpet for instruction. 
Its jewels are of tin. Its sword is of the period of the Revo- 
lutionary War. A sliding pannel in the door enables the leth- 
argic Tyler to perform his traditional duties with little trouble 
to the Junior Deacon or to himself. The Secretary has a 
rickety, cramped-up table in the South-east, apparently a de- 
funct wash-stand, but without the drawers ; the Treasurer has 
not even so much as that. 

The Altar (V) is a nail keg covered, not ingeniously, with red 
cloth to conceal (but it does not conceal) the staves ; it totters 
if only the weight of a hand is laid upon the dirty Bible that 
surmounts it. The Lights (?) are tallow-candles (mutton tal- 
low of all the tallows) small, badly-wicked, whose rancid fumes 
sicken and poison the confined atmosphere. There are no 
printed By-Laws ; there is no copy of the Constitution ; there 



78 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTERS 

are no Working Tools ; there are no copies of Grand Lodge 
Proceedings in the Hall. The seats against the wall are but 
rough benches, scanty in number, uneasy in position. The 
Gavels are apparently made of knobs taken from the branches 
of old oak trees, and fastened to the ends of drum sticks ; 
they fly off with dangerous facility whenever any use is made 
of them. There is no Charter visible in the room !* 

In visiting a new Lodge (we have visited so many), our eye, 
from long experience, has become trained to'detect beauties or 
faults at a glance. Shall we tell our readers (so far as such 
things may lawfully be told in writing,) how we do it !f 

In the ante-room we observe whether the Tyler is comfort- 
able in his seat — is his room warm ? has he the traditionary 
instrument of his office ? does he keep it in his hand ? Are 
the Aprons laid orderly upon a table ? are the coats, hats, &c, 
neatly hung about the apartment ? If there is anything want- 
ing to the Tyler in all this, then the furnishing of the Lodge is 



*Need we apologize for using such plain language in point- 
ing out the faults of the Brethren ! Our motive is not to 
shame the Brethren, but to shame them into improvement. 
What can an intelligent candidate think of a set of men who 
at home are neat and proper in their appearance, but whose 
Lodge is less neat than their stables ! If " cleanliness is next 
to godliness," as the modern Paul expresses it, that virtue 
deserves at least an indorsement by Masons. 

\ It is the most provoking thing to the Masonic writer that 
the very counsels most needed by the Craft relate to the eso- 
terical subjects of Masonry. No man can write upon these 
themes so well as the poorest lecturer can teach. 



SPECIAL HELP. 79 

by that much deficient. Entered into the hall, the eye catches 
at one sweep the Pillars, the Columns, the G, the Sheaf, the 
Carpet on the Wall, the Altar, the three Stations and the 
Dais. Anything defective here shows itself in the first glance. 

Arrived at the Altar, its furnishing comes under a critical 
notice as we look down upon it. 

Arrived at the East and seated, the tout ensemble tills the eye, 
and every defect is there apparent. Almost every Lodge is 
defective in something ; many are defective in the majority of 
objects that are absolutely needed for Masonic instruction. 
We will not, however, too minutely specify them. 

Now, all these defects which are evident to the experienced 
eye in the few minutes devoted to this examination are to be 
remedied by the zeal, wisdom and power of the " Model 
Master." No one else so well knows, no one else so much 
cares for the matter as he does. If he possesses the " pride 
of excellence," he will not suffer a year to pass away until all 
needful things are supplied him. 

The most expensive objects are a pair of large and well pro 
portioned Pillars to be set near the north-west door of entrance. 
If purchased of dealers they cost too much for ordinary Lodges 
to bear. But they can be made at home. Any man who can 
turn a bed post can turn the shafts. Any carpenter who can 
make the moulding of a chimney piece can make the base and 
entablature. Then a pair of cheap school globes and a dollar's 
worth of white paint, and you are as well fitted, symbolically, 
as though the " Widow's Son" had been your architect. 



80 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER S 

To carpet the floor, many substitutes can be found for expen- 
sive ingrains. Cotton bagging serves well enough for country 
Lodges, and even tanbark evenly distiibuted over the floor is 
better than nothing. $o visitor will feel like ridiculing the 
Lodge which resorts to such shifts in the absence of the ability 
to do better. The most ridiculous object to our minds is a 
Lodge room immensely large, uncarpeted and unfurnished, 
looking like an empty snail shell on a dry patch of sand.* 

Among the objects of furniture not to be neglected is the 
Library. Every Lodge must have a Library, if it contains 
nothing more than a Monitor, the Constitution of the Grand 
Lodge, the By-laws of your own Lodge and the Proceedings of 
the Grand Lodge since its organization. These, we say, must 
be in possession of every Lodge, else the work cannot proper- 
ly go on. But to these should be added many and many a 
precious object dispensing Masonic light. The literature of the 
Masonic Institution in modern times is rich in publications 
upon the history, philanthropy, jurisprudence and belles lettres 
of Freemasonry. The Universal Masonic Library has fifty- 
three of such works within its broad lids, sold too at prices 
that every Lodge can afford to pay. 



* We have already remarked in this series of papers upon 
the mania, which the Civil war has happily checked, of building 
Masonic Halls. We look upon the Lodge which lays the 
foundation stone of a Hall (to be built at its own expense), as 
beginning its own destruction. The expense will be a mill- 
stone about its neck. There are but few Lodges which are 
exceptions to this rule. 



SPECIAL HELP. 81 

Another object, next to a Library in importance, is a Melo- 
deon. The whole subject of Music in its relation to Masonry, 
deserves more attention than we have time to give it here. 
Its charming influences are not half appreciated by those who 
have control of Masonic matters in the various jurisdictions. 
The passages relative to music in the Fellow Crafts' Lecture 
sound strangely to us, when we reflect that the science has 
gone into almost total disuse among the Craft. In older 
times it was not so. Masons sung at their Work; sung at 
their Refreshments ; sung at their Festivals ; sung at their 
Funerals. Music then filled the place which the great author 
of our being doubtless intended for it, and served as a medium 
for conveying to the heart the most enobling sentiments. A 
Melodeon in the Lodge, played with even a modicum of skill, 
is a well spring of pleasure from which the Brethren will draw 
on every occasion that justifies it.* ..-"'. 

And while recommending certain objects as essential to the 
correct furnishing of a Lotlge we would deprecate the practice 
which prevails in some quarters, of lumbering the room with 
unmeaning and superflous furniture. Everything should have 
symbolical reference to something in Masonry. Everything 
on the walls, ceiling or floor, should be such as the Master can 
refer to in the course of his instructions, to give point to them, 

* It will not be out of place here to refer to the "Harmonium," 
a late improvement upon the Melodeon, which is most happily 
adapted, and at a very low price, to the wants of the Lodge 
room. 



82 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTERS 

and enforce them. Anything outside of these, is not only 
superflous, but produces confusion. 

A closing remark under this head. In soliciting contribu- 
tions to furnish a Lodge, almost every person will give some- 
thing in kind, while but few care to give money. Almost 
every one will give a book, a chair, a picture, or a lot of plank, 
carpeting, etc. Many will give a day's work who will give 
nothing else. These benevolences, properly used, will go far 
to the fitting up, and adorning and furnishing your Lodge. 



EARNESTNESS OF COVENANTING. 

Never will I break the Covenant, 

Plighted, Brother, with thee now ! 
One between us stands, attesting 

To the fervor of my vow : 
In his name, above his Promise, 

By his honor, for his cause, 
Here's my hand, the Lord confirm it, — 

I will surely keep my vows ! 



SPECIAL HELP. 83 



CHAPTER IX. 



VITALIZING THE LODGE. 

In the first eight chapters of these series we have spoken of 
the true method of setting up the machinery , so to speak, of a 
Masonic Lodge. We have enlarged upon the importance of 
paraphernalia and equipments ; of correct instructions in Open 
ing and Closing your Meetings ; of Funerals and other public 
demonstrations ; of dignity and tact in the Master ; of atten- 
dance upon the Grand Lodge, and other themes essential to 
the perpetuity of the Institution. The machine being thus set up 
and perfected, all its wheels and cranks and pulleys, etc., in 
place, it remains now to show how to run it. A mere machine 
is a dead thing ; its usefulness and value are estimated by its 
works. 

We have seen more than one Lodge, of which no flaw or 
defect could be predicated, except that it teas doing no good in 
the tcorld. Its paraphernalia was costly and made secundem 
artem. Its Lectures and instructions, its demonstrations 
public and private, were sufficiently formal and precise ; its 
outward semblance was that of a statue of elegant symmetry 
and proportion, but it had no vitality. For all practical pur- 
poses it was nothing. Our present chapter is devoted to the 



84 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTERS 

subject of breathing life into a Lodge ; of setting Lodge-ma- 
chinery in motion ; giving a useful aim to the laborious and 
expensive structure of which you have been made the en- 
gineer. 

Did you ever ask yourself, oh Master of Masons, for what 
purposes your Lodge was established and has been thus far 
maintained ? If not, let us inquire together. For unless we 
can answer that question, we shall make no headway in com- 
prehending the theme to which the present chapter is devoted. 

A close examination of the Ancient Charges, Constitutions, 
and historical evidences of Masonry will give us this for a 
reply: "Masonry is a system, teaching symbolically, Piety, 
Morality, Science, Charity and Self-discipline."* A few quo 
tations in proof of this will be proper here : 

"A Mason is obliged by his tenure (that is by the very terms 
of his reception and continuance) to obey the Moral Law. . . . 
Masons are obliged to that religion in which all men agree 
. . . .Masons must be good men and true, or men of honor and 
honesty. . . .Masonry is a centre of union and the means of 
conciliating true friendship among persons that must have 
remained at a perpetual distance. The craftsmen by their 
peaceableness and loyalty have practically answered the cavils 
of their adversaries and promoted the honor of the fraternity 
who ever flourished in times of peace. . . .The persons admitted 



* See Code of Masonic Law under Landmark Second, in 
which this subject is pursued at much length. That whole 
Division of the Code refers to this. 



SPECIAL HELP. 85 

members of a Lodge must be good and true men. . . .All pie- 
ferment among Masons is grounded upon real worth and per- 
sonal merit only. . . .A Master or Warden is chosen for his 
merit. » . .All Masons shall work honestly on working days. . . . 
The Craftsmen are to avoid all ill language and to call each 
other by no disobliging names but brother or fellow. . . .None 
shall discover envy at the prosperity of a brother, nor supplant 
him, nor put him out of his work, if he be capable to finish the 

same You are not to behave yourselves ludicrously or 

jestingly while the Lodge is engaged in what is serious and 

solemn .No private piques or quarrels must be brought 

within the door of the Lodge, far less any quarrels about 
religion, or nations, or state policy. . . .At home you are to act 
as becomes a moral and wise man. . . .You are to cultivate 
brotherly love, the foundation and capestone, the cement and 
glory of this ancient fraternity, avoiding all wrangling and 
quarreling, all slander and backbiting, not permitting others 
to slander any honest brother, but defending his character and 
doing him all good offices as far as is consistent with your 
honesty and safety, and no farther. . . .You must say and do 
nothing which may hinder brotherly love and good offices from 
being renewed and continued. . . .Patiently listen to the hon- 
est and friendly advice of Master and Fellows when they would 
prevent your going to law with strangers, or would excite 
you to put a speedy period to all law suits." 

From these texts, and others like them that might be quo- 
ted at great length, are deduced the thousands of Masonic 



86 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTERS 

addresses, lectures and essays which treat of the morality and 
religion of the order. Upon the truth of these eloquent and 
divine doctrines, the permanency of Masonic friendships and 
the very life of the Masonic institution are based. No cove- 
nant of wicked men is enduring ; nor can good men bind them- 
selves by a covenant whose basis is other than piety and 
morality. * 

Now this is the test question applicable to every Lodge : Is 
your Lodge accomplishing those ends ? Is Piety advanced by 
the operations of the Lodge ? is Morality ? is Science ? is 
Charity ? is Self discipline ? If not, then your Lodge is a 
failure. 

No one can say that the Rituals of Masonry do not give 
ample instructions under these heads. Piety (reverence to 
God and obedience to his Word) is taught both by word and act 
in very many passages, esoteric and exoteric. Morality — why 
the Ritual is full of it ; the Entered Apprentices Degree is 
one eloquent lecture upon it. Science — the Eellow Craft's 
Degree is one eloquent Lecture upon it. Charity — how could 
symbology express anything more clearly than the emblems of 
Masonry express Charity ! Self-discipline — the very purpose 
and aim of Masonry is to discipline (that isprepare) its recipients 
by labor and prayer for u the House not made with hands." 
As, then, these five great lessons— Piety, Morality, Science, 
Charity and Self-discipline — are so frequently and forcibly 



* This is a sufficient reply to the flood of cavilings and de- 
tractions of the anti-masonic era. 



SPECIAL HELP. Ol 

taught 111 the Masonic Rituals, we may then call it the test- 
question, Is your Lodge accomplishing these ends ? To vitalize 
a Lodge is to put it in the way of doing so. 

No writer can lay down general rules for this. We can only 
specify such as are likely to apply to the majority of cases. 
A few rules are inserted here which will guide the reader in 
vitalizing Ids Lodge : 

1. Encourage Yisltatioxs. 

The Ancient Constitutions, * Article XI, say: "All particu- 
lar Lodges are to observe the same usages. .. .in order to 
which, and for cultivating a good understanding among Free- 
masons, some members out of every Lodge shall be deputed to 
visit the other Lodges as often as shall be thought convenient. '» 

Treat visitors with marked courtesy and attention ; they 
will help to vitalize your membership in all the graces of cour- 
tesy, charity and improvement in Rituals. Invite them to 
give you their experience, -f 

2. Keep a close account with erring members. 

To leave the drunkard, debauchee, blasphemer, slanderer, 



* The Ancient Constitutions differ from the Ancient Charges 
in this respect, that the latter are unchangeable and obliga- 
tory upon Masons, the formei may be enlarged, amended or 
reduced at the pleasure of the Grand Lodge. The former 
stand in the relation of Grand Lodge Constitutions, which may 
be and are changed at every meeting. 

f The aged are peculiarly susceptible to the minor courtesies 
of the Lodge. We recall with tender emotion the pleased 
look of such an one when alluded to by name in the Lodge or 
in a public Address. 



88 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTERS 

etc., undisciplined, is to take the very vitality from the Lodge. 
It is to throw pebbles among the wheels of the machine ; a full 
stop will occur to all useful movements. 

Would that we could convince the Masonic world that a 
moral institution can not be conducted by immoral nun. 

3. Reward the faithful and true members. 

Show them clue respect. Defer to their judgment. Give 
them seats of honor in the Lodge. * When sick, visit them. 
When dead, bestow those honors, the highest as they are the 
last which Masonry provides for good Masons. 

4. Dispense pure and abundant Masonic Light. 

5. Encourage the delivery of moral and scientific lec- 
tures, PUBLICLY AND IN THE LODGE. 

0. Invite the co-operation of the Fair Sex.| 

7. Provide all necessaries for the comfort and adorn- 
ment of the Lodge, and for illustrating the lectures and 
Work. % 

8. Dispense charities freely. § 



* Some Masters are so ignorant or negligent as never to ask 
Past Masters to take seats on the dais. 

j We do not particularly refer to the so-called "Adoptive 
Degrees'' or Systems, but to the many methods known to 
" Model Masters" of securing female influence and co-opera- 
tion in the charitable deeds of the Craft. 

% See our last chapter full of remarks under this head. 

§ If there are no suffering objects near you, enquire for 
them in contiguous or distant Lodges. The world has enough 
destitution and misery to exhaust the beneficence of the most 
generous. 



SPECIAL HELP. 89 

9. glye evidence before the world th.^t your practice 
corresponds with your profession. 

10. Sternly reject unworthy applicants. 

By these and similar efforts will Masonry in your hands be- 
come vitalized. The Lodge will become a delightful place. 
The members will hasten there early and frequently. Good 
men from without will knock at your doors. Mothers, sisters 
and daughters will sing your praises. Usefulness and honor 
will redound from all your labors and your end will be peace. 

Israel then shall dwell in safety alone ; the fountain of 
Jacob shall be upon a land of corn and wine, also his heavens 
shall drop down dew. 

" Happy art thou, oh Israel ! who is like unto thee ; oh peo- 
ple saved by the Lord the shield of thy help, and who is the 
sword of thy excellency ; and thine enemies shall be found 
liars unto thee, and thou shaft tread upon their high places, 

Deut., xxxiii, 28, etc. 



tears and smiles. 

The tear for friends departed, 
The faithful and true-hearted, 

Cast midst the rubbish of the silent grave, 
Is changed to smiles of pleasure, 
While trusting that our treasure, 

A glorious Resurrection -day will have ! 



90 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER'S 



CHAPTER X. 



THE TRIAL OF OFFENSES. 

It is peculiarly needful in discussing the subject of Trials 
that we should repeat a caution often given before that " the 
advice of a Masonic teacher can only be taken where it does 
not conflict with Grand Lodge regulations." This caution we 
have ever given in our utterances as editor and lecturer. The 
advice and warnings of the most eminent writers and speakers 
have only this extent, no more; they can not be received 
where they contravene the edicts and deliverances of the 
Grand Lodge. They are chiefly valuable in those cases which 
the Grand Lodge has not considered.* For the Master of a 
Lodge to adopt them and act upon them without first acquaint- 
ing himself with the statutes of his own Grand Lodge is the 
most egregious folly, and can lead only to mortifying retrac- 
tations on his own part, and the want of respect on the part of 
his brethren. 

We repeat this caution here because in the legislation of 



*They are also useful in shaping the legislation of the Grand 
Lodge. When a question of amending the Constitution comes 
up, the quoted opinions of a reliable Masonic jurist often secure 
the majority of the Grand Lodge without argument. This, 
indeed, is the chief value of works on Masonic Law, 



SPECIAL HELP. 91 

a few Grand Lodges will be found forms for the Government of 
Masonic Trials. Such forms, however imperfect or poorly 
framed, are obligatory upon the Masters of the Lodges under 
their jurisdiction. To such, the present Chapter can be useful 
only in a general sense and as affecting those parts of trial not 
covered by the forms in question.* 

With this caution, we proceed with our subject, and first ex- 
plain yfliat constitutes an Offense in Masonry. We specify 
fourteen classes of Masonic. Offenses, viz : 

1. Secession from the Order. 

2. Disbelief in the Scriptures of God. 

3. Blasphemy, Profanity, Irreligious Libertinism. \ 

4. Theft, Swindling, Dishonesty. 

5. Lying, Deceit, Perjury, Falsehood. 

6. Adultery, Fornication, Seduction, Licentiousness. 
*1. Evil Speaking, Scandal, Slander. 

8. Covetousness, Uncharitableness. 

9. Cruelty, Violence, Bloodshed, Murder. 



*It is greatly to be desired that Grand Lodges throughout 
the country should agree upon a uniform system of trials. As 
it now stands, the subject is in a deplorable condition. What 
is cause for suspension in one State is scarcely cause for repri- 
mand in another. The publication of u A Thorough Course 
of Instruction" upon this subject in 1859, was a step, we 
believe, in that direction. 

I By the term "Irreligious Libertine," an obsolete expres- 
sion, is understood a person devoid of religious convictions, a 
skeptic in religious belief, not quite an atheist, but practically 
a man " without God and without hope in the world." 



92 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTERS 

10. Plots, Conspiracies, Treason. 

11. Sabbath Breaking. 

12. Indiscretion, Secret-breaking. 

13. Contumacy, Disobedience to Lodge and Grand Lodge 
Orders. 

14. Union with Clandestine Associations. 

Other classes than these may perhaps be formed, ) T et we 
think these sufficiently diffuse. In general, it may be said that 
" any act is an offense in Masonry which is unjust toward God, 
one's country or self: any violation of the laws of God, the 
laws of the nation, or the laws physical, moral and mental, ap- 
plicable to one's self; any action contrary to the admitted 
Word of God, the Statutes and Common Law of the country, 
or the principles of self-government." 

To prevent offenses is one chief care of a Master This he 
labors to do by freqent and earnest exhortations to his mem- 
bers both within and without the Lodge. To stop tlie growth of 
offenses and confine them within the lower and more excusable 
classes is the Master's next care. This he strives to do by 
solemn warnings and appeals to the erring member upon the 
first evidences of his fault. Thus, if a Brother is known to 
have been intoxicated, the Master will endeavor to nip the 
evil in the bud before it runs to the ruinous extent of habitual 
intemperance. If Brothers have had a verbal altercation, the 
Master will hasten to offer his mediation and heal the breach 
before it becomes irreparable. 

It is not every offense that should be brought to trial, nor is 



SPECIAL HELP. 93 

it every offense that should be brought before the Lodge. In 
a well-instructed Lodge, where the brethren are taught to 
counsel each other and to warn each other of approaching 
danger, there is rarely occasion for a Lodge to proceed to the 
extremity of a trial. Private warnings and counsel are effect- 
ual, as we have personally seen, to check almost every offense 
as it arises. Blasphemy, Licentiousness, Intemperance, and 
Violence may be strangled in their birth under the influence 
of these " fence corner tribunals," in which the exhorter and 
the exhorted are the only parties (save God), and the gentle 
spirit of Brotherly Love is the Law.* 

But for our present purpose we must suppose an offense 
really committed, for instance an act of violence, one Brother 
against another. Let the Junior Warclenf bring the charges 
in some plain form with specifications noting time and place 
correctly. Almost any form will suffice that is explicit. The 
following is as good as any : 

The undersigned, Junior -Warden of Lodge, No. — —, 

at -, in the performance of his official duties as specified 

in By-laws, Article — , Section — , solemnly charges Bro. -, 

a Master Mason and member of this Lodge, J with unmasonic 
conduct, according to the following specifications : 



*In England, nearly all questions relative to Masonic disci- 
pline are referred to and settled by a Standing Committee. 

\ For various reasons the Junior Warden is the most appro- 
priate prosecutor. 

^If a demitted Mason or.^a Mason of less Degree than the 
Third, specify the fact. 



94: THE WORSHIPFUL MASTERS 

With striking Bro. , a Master Mason and a member 

of this Lodge, at , on the — day of , 1866. 

And the undersigned, as the official prosecutor of this Lodge, 
prays that the honor and dignity of the Masonic Institution 
may be vindicated by the due exercise of Masonic discipline 

upon the aforesaid Bro. — . 

A B , 

(Date.) Junior Warden. 

This indictment, for such it is, is handed to the Secretary 
to be read at a Regular Meeting, and is referred to the Lodge 
by the Master with the question, What will you do, my 

Brethren, with these charges against Bro. ? Some one 

should move that the charges be received and referred to a 
committee to examine the evidence. No second to this motion 
is needed, because the Junior Warden himself is strictly the 
mover. The Master puts the question to the Lodge. A ma- 
jority vote controls the question; if favorable, the Master 
appoints a committee of three to take testimony and report at 
the next Regular Meeting.* The committee must set the - 
time and place for taking evidence before leaving the Lodge, 
and the accused, if present, is notified of time and place that 
he may be present if he wishes.f Cases sometimes occur 
where the accused rises at once and admits the offense. If so, 



* Trials may be had at called meetings if thought best to 
do so. 

f If not present, a certified copy of the charges, &c., must 
be sent to him. 



SPECIAL HELP. 95 

he should be allowed to state the provocation, if any, and to 
tender his apology. But his statement, if he makes any, 
should be inquired into by the committee. If he makes no 
statement — nothing but a confession — no committee need be 
appointed, unless some peculiarity in the case should seem to 
require it. This is a matter for the Lodge to determine. 

In all the meetings of the committee the Secretary must be 
present, as Clerk, to take down the evidence and preserve it 
for the use of the Lodge. 

The committee must have great latitude in the matter of 
securing evidence ; but if any neglect is apparent on their 
part, the accused can have it remedied on appeal to the Lodge. 
Time enough must be given for securing evidence, even though 
it protracts the case from mouth to month. The committee, 
however, should report progress at each Regular Meeting, and 
then ask further time if necessary. 

When prepared to report, a synopsis of their proceedings 
must be made by the Clerk and subscribed to by each member 
of the committee, if practicable ; if not, by a majority. This 
synopsis, together with the testimony, is then read to the 
Lodge. Upon motion the report is received and the committee 
discharged. This brings the question fairly before the Lodge 
for trial. 

While the committee is gathering testimony, the accused has 
the right to cross-examine the witnesses before them. Also 
to call witnessess of his own to rebut the charges alleged. 
The accused may have counsel if he chooses, both before the 



96 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER'S 

committee and afterwards in the Lodge ; but none but Master 
Masons can act in that capacity. 

Upon the discharge of the committee the accused may offer 
such personal explanations as he pleases, but these are not to 
be deemed as evidence, that is, they are not to be written down 
and subjected to cross-examination, etc. The accused in such 
remarks must not impute improper conduct to any Brother, or 
utter violent or extreme language, under penalty of prejudicing 
his own case. 

This being over, the accused must retire. Then the Master 
pat the question. Is the Brother guilty or not guilty? The 
answer is given by ballot ; a majority vote decides. If the 
decision is not guilty, the record is ordered to be made up, the 
accused called in and notified of his acquittal. If the decision 
is guilty, a second question is proposed, Shall the Brother be 
expelled ? The answer is made by ballot, the ratio for expul- 
sion being settled by the by-laws. But if the by-laws are silent 
and the question unsettled by the Grand Lodge having juris- 
diction, a majority vote decides.* If the decision is expulsion, 
the record is ordered to be made up, and the Secretary, by 
written communication, notifies the guilty party of the de- 
cision. *" But if the decision is no expulsion, a third question is 
proposed, Shall the Brother be suspended ? If the majority 
decide no suspension, a fourth question is proposed, Shall the 
Brother be reprimanded ? 

" x * We recommend the by-law establishing two-thirds as the 
proper number for suspension or expulsion, 



SPECIAL HELP. 97 

Should the Lodge decide to suspend, the question is then put 
upon the length of the period of suspension, All these pro- 
ceedings should be had deliberately, the counsel of the accused 
being allowed to remain and scrutinize them. Every member 
of the Lodge, Master and Junior Warden included, is allowed 
his vote.* 

Such is a skeleton form of trial. It gives the prosecution a 
fair opportunity to convict the accused of actual offense ; it 
gives the accused a fair opportunity to palliate his offense if 
guilty, or to show the weakness and insufficiency of the testi- 
mony, if innocent. After the verdict of guilty is entered and 
the penalty settled upon, an appeal must be granted, if asked 
for by the accused or his counsel. The right of appeal can, 
under no circumstances, be impugned. But the action of the 
Lodge is binding upon the accused (unless an edict of the 
Grand Master intervenes) until the Grand Lodge shall reverse 
it. So, also, an appeal to the Grand Lodge may be taken by 
the Junior Warden, or any Other member of the Lodge, if it 
is alleged that the Lodge has refused to lay down a penalty for 
plain guilt. 

The Model Master will always advise an accused Brother to 
plead guUty where the case is too palpable for doubt. To 



* It has been decided in some jurisdictions that because the 
Junior Warden and the Committee have taken part in the 
prosecution of the case they are not unprejudiced and ought 
not to vote ; this ruling is absurd. They vote under the 
solemnity of their Masonic Covenants. 

4 



98 THE WOESHIPFUL MASTERS 

throw one's self upon the good feelings of the Lodge is, in 
such cases, the most prudent, as it is the most honorable course 
for a Brother to pursue. A Lodge of Masons, all things con- 
sidered, is the most gracious and forgiving assemblage of men 
upon earth. There is no ordinary offense that they will not 
excuse if a confession and fair show of penitence are made. 
This we can testify from abundant observation. 

In those Lodges, and there are such, in which discipline has 
long been neglected and the erring permitted to go on for 
years unchecked, the Master will find great hindrances in set- 
ting up a standard of justice. For awhile his Lodge may not 
second his faithful endeavors to purify the membership. They 
may pronounce verdicts of not guilty where guilt is palpable. 
Or they may order light and trivial punishments where the 
offenses are open and gross. In such cases, the Model Master 
will apply for directions to the Grand Master. He will labor 
the harder to teach the real purposes of the Masonic Institu- 
tion. A victory gained in such a Lodge is a victory indeed. 



SPECIAL, HELP. 99 



CHAPTER XI. 



THE SECRETARY AND TREASURER. 

The theory of the Secretary's duties is succinctly given in his 
response : " To observe the Worshipful Master's will and pleas- 
ure ; to record the Proceedings of the Lodge ; to receive all 
moneys and pay them into the hands of the Treasurer."* The 
key to all this is, that he, the Secretary, is more than any 
other officer, save the Senior Deacon, under the immediate 
authority and direction of the Master. It is this that induces 
us to make a chapter of the Secretary's duties with a few hints 
relative to the Treasurer. It is but telling the Master what 
he should require the Secretary to do. 

There is nothing that more clogs the wheels of a Lodge (or 
Graud Lodge) than to have the Secretary (or Grand Secretary) 



* All that rubbish about " keeping the jewels bright" is the 
merest nonsense. It appears as if some Brethren adhere to a 
thing the more tenaciously the less sense or meaning there is 
in it. The responses of the Treasurer and Secretary are given 
literally in the Monitor in the Past Master's Degree, and those 
officers ous;ht to bein structed bv the Master to adhere to them, 



100 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER'S 

set himself up as superior to the Master (or Grand Master.) It 
is in itself unnatural, and contrary to the spirit of the Masonic 
system of official gradation. It leads to nothing but evils, and 
the Master (or Grand Master) who suffers it deserves nothing 
but ignominy. Better change the Secretary (or Grand Secre- 
tary) every year than to allow it. Our American custom of 
changing our Masters (and Grand Masters) annually while 
Secretaries are retained in office, is leading to these unnatural 
results. But enough under this head. The Model Master, at 
least, will see that his Secretary does all his duty and no more, 
and the present chapter is designed to afford him some hints 
for that purpose. 

And first it may be observed that the records are to be kept 
by the Secretary. As thare are many proceedings, however, 
that are not proper to be written, relating, as they do, to the 
esoteric or unpublished portions of Masonry, it is for the Mas- 
ter to decide what must be recorded and what omitted. This 
he does by turning from time to time to the Secretary and 
directing him to make record. For instance, suppose a Brother 
offers a motion to appropriate a sum of money. It is Seconded. 
The Master puts the motion in plain terms, then pauses and 
gives time for remarks pi*o and con. These being ended, he 
orders the vote. It is carried. And the Secretary makes 
the entry to correspond. To be sure that this entry is correct 
and that the Secretary has truly " observed the Worshipful 
Master's will and pleasure," the minutes of the Meeting are 
read aloud by the Secretary just prior to the closing of the 



SPECIAL HELP. 101 

Lodge, and all errors and omissions, if any, are then cor- 
rected.* 

A correct and complete Form of Record for a Lodge is a 
desideratim long acknowledged. In our publication, " The 
Secretary's Special Help," one will be found sufficiently elabo- 
rate for a model. An intelligent and experienced Secretary 
will enlarge upon it as he may deem necessary. The great 
aim of the Secretary should be to give a complete history of 
the doiugs of the Lodge, yet avoiding verbosity. At the open- 
ing of each Meeting, the names of all persons present, whether 
Officers, Past Masters or private members, must be noted. If 
visitors, the names, etc., of their respective Lodges must be 
noted ; if demitted, the names of their late Lodges, f The 
doings of the Lodge are based upon 1 Motions or Resolutions, 
and 2 the Orders of the Master. The distinction between 
these two should be carefully drawn. For instance, suppose 
the Lodge has adopted a Motion " to receive a petition for Ini- 
tiation." The Master upon that, orders a Committee to exam- 
ine into the character of the applicant, and when the Com- 



* It is not absolutely necessary that the Master should say 
in every case, "' Brother Secretary record it." It is sufficient 
in all cases that the Secretary minute down every proceeding 
of the Lodge as it falls from tke lips of tlie Master ; yet it is 
better in the solution of all important questions, that the Mas- 
ter give direct orders to the Secretary as above. 

f The Model Master will not have much visiting from Demit- 
ted Masons. They will learn from his remarks to his own 
brethren in how small repute he holds them as a class. 



102 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER 5 S 

mittee has reported, orders the ballot spread. If the result is 
favorable he then orders the candidate to be brought forward 
for Initiation. 

The Secretary is emphatically the historian of the Lodge ; 
what the Lodge does is nothing unless recorded. The Secretary 
perpetuates the proceedings of the Craft. In the financials of 
the Lodge he bears an equally important part ; what is due 
the Lodge is nothing unless collected ; and the Secretary is 
that collector. 

A proper system of collections involves punctuality; 
the dues of most of our Lodges are so insignificant in amount 
that the poorest can pay them if called for montldy or quar- 
terly. The Model Master, therefore, will see that his Secretary 
makes a regular demand upon each member as often as every 
three months. If necessary, the By-Laws may be shaped to 
this end. 

Under no circumstances will the Model Master allow his 
Lodge to get in debt. He will draw his orders upon the Treas- 
urer at least quarterly for the stipend of the Secretary and 
Tyler, for Rents and all the current expenditures, and see that 
the Lodge does not fall behind. 

The Secretarymust be strongly charged with the necessity 
of paying over to' the Treasurer all funds collected at least 
once a month. Failure to do this is a breach of contract with 
the Lodge, if not worse. The resources of the Lodge are only 
available when in the Treasurer's hands; to keep them in the 
Secretary's possession is but a snare to that officer and a fraud 



SPECIAL HELP. 103 

upon the Brethren who paid it into his hands. The evil is so 
frequent in practice as to demand special attention from the 
Master. The Minutes of each Meeting should specify how 
much money has been received since the last Meeting, and 
from whom. 

The specific duties of the Secretary involve much labor in 
the intermissions, such as the collection of dues, taking evi- 
dence in trials, managing the correspondence, etc. It is, 
therefore, proper that he should have a pecuniary compensa- 
tion for his services, and this compensation should be suffi- 
ciently large to secure good talent and experience. 

Young Masters are often at a loss, when they have opened 
their Lodges, how to call up the proper business in due order. 
To remedy this, many Lodges adopt an " Order of business" 
for the Master's guide, though this is scarcely necessary. 
The reading of the Minutes of the last Regular* and interme- 
diate Called Meetings will suggest the most important busi- 
ness of the Meetings, and the rest comes up in the form of 
Orders from the Master and Motions from the Brethren. The 
Model Master will require all Motions to be in writing and 
read aloud, not by their movers, but by the Secretary, f 



* Some years since, we were deluded by a' specious argu-. 
ment into using the term " stated" instead of " Regular." 
But we have sinee found in the oldest records that the term 
"Regular" is the ancient Masonic word, and we shall here- 
after employ it. 

f Referring, of course, to those that admit of being written, 
The Motion "to receive a Petition," etc., need not be in 
writing, because the Petition is in writing. 



104 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTERS 

The most perfect confidence should exist between the Mas- 
ter and his Secretary. A good Secretary is the very light and 
Salt of a Lodge, and the Master should set an example in show- 
ing how highly he is appreciated. Every reasonable demand 
of that officer should be granted. Ample stationery, cabinets, 
desks and the like should be provided him at his call. 

But little need be said relative to the Treasurer. His 
duty is simple — to receive moneys from the Secretary and pay 
them out by order of the Master. It is important that he 
should be present at every meeting if possible. Where 
the funds of a Lodge accumulate to a considerable amount, 
the Model Master will advise the Treasurer to separate 
the Lodge funds from his own money, so that in the event of 
his (the Treasurer's) death, the Lodge may readily secure its 
own. The list of Lodges, bankrupted by the death of their 
Treasurers, is startling in magnitude, and suggests this as the 
proper remedy. 

A word, also, relative to the Senior Deacon. He is strictly 
the appointee of the Master, * and is selected with a view to 
serve in all respects as tJw Master's proxy. An old and expe- 
rienced active member makes the best Senior Deacon. He 
must be a polite, educated and zealous Brother. Between the 
Master and Senior Deacon there should exist unreserved con- 
fidence and mutual respect. 



*If the By-Laws otherwise dispose of it, we suggest to the 
reader that upon the announcement of his election as Ma6ter, 
he should notify the brethren that he expects to have the 
privilege of nominating the Senior Deacon. 



SPECIAL HELP. 105 



CHAPTER XII. 



THE MASTER'S WAGES. 

But why should a man take all this trouble upon himself, 
asks the reader who has followed us, patiently or impatiently, 
to this closing Chapter. What reward is there for this sacri- 
fice of time, labor, patience, and feelings ? Why depart from 
the " free and easy" system so much in vogue in the Lodges of 
the present day, — a fashion that costs the Master nothing but 
a little wear and tear of conscience, and twelve evenings in a 
year for Lodge purposes ? 

Really, we are not called upon by any sense of duty to an- 
sAver such questions. For these XII Chapters are addressed to 
" Model Masters, "men whose aims and desires are depictured in 
the First Chapter as being above those of the " herd of Masters" 
who seek the office, not that they may reflect credit upon the 
office, but that the office may reflect credit upon them. But 
tliey miss both. 

Nevertheless, we will answer the question, because in so 
doing we can make a Chapter, our twelfth and last, upon " The 
Wages of the Model Master," in other words, " the rewards of 
well doing in the Masonic Temple." It is a pleasant theme \ 
we will try and do it justice. Shall we commence it by giving 
three illustrations ! 



106 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER' S 

First — The President of a popular Female College, a man 
crowded and overcrowded with the cares of his profession, 
devotes one evening per week, through two years of office, to 
building up, animating and instructing his Lodge. His reward 
is the love of his members, the name of a great and wise Ma- 
son resounding through all the land, and the acclamation of 
his Grand Lodge that advances him at once to high station and 
% influence. Is not that ample wages ? 

Second. — A plain carpenter gives his hours to study over his 
saw and plane, and hours to instructing the Brethren who have 
honored him with the Master's gavel ! For a year his efforts 
toward their improvement are unremitting and the incessant 
practice makes him what he desires others to be, u a Master in 
Israel." His reward is like that of the other, and there is no 
position of Masonic honor or usefulness that is not open to 
this plain but earnest mechanic. Is not the pay ample ? 

Third. — A physician in large practice. A man with a large 
family. A man busy with cares of church and state. Yet he 
finds time to study the true Rituals. He takes delight in them. 
They commend themselves to his judgment. He begins to 
teach them. He organizes a Home School of Instruction to 
teach them. From the heavy cares pressing upon him he steals 
an evening each week for the sweet task. His reward is a 
national reputation and, at the first suffrage, an election from 
the floor of the Grand Lodge to the position of Grand Master. 
Is not the reward ample f 

We do not mean to imply that these examples exhaust the 



SPECIAL HELP. 107 

subject ; they scarcely dip into it. But they suggest in general 
terms what we consider ample wages to a faithful Master, viz. : 
the approbation of the Brethren, and a wide-spread apprecia- 
tion of his labors. If that does not pay a disinterested and 
conscientious man for doing good to others, then he had best 
give his labor to some other Association than Masonry. 

DeWitt Clinton, who was in many respects a " Model Mas* 
ter," the brightest in his generation, has stated the duties of 
Masons and still more of Masters, clearly and succinctly. He 
says: " A Mason is bound to consult the happiness and pro- 
mote the interests of his Brother ; to avoid everything offen- 
sive to his feelings; to abstain from reproach, censure, and 
unjust suspicions ; to warn him of the machinations of his 
enemies; to advise him of his errors; to advance the reputa- 
tion and welfare of his family ; to protect the chastity of his 
house ; to defend his life, his property, and what is dearer to 
a man of honor, his character against unjust attacks ; to re- 
lieve his wants and his distress ; to instil into his mind proper 
ideas of conduct in the department of life which he is called 
to fill ; and let me add, to foster his schemes of interest and 
promotion, if compatible with the paramount duties a man 
owes to the community." Now, all this goes to make up the 
prosperity of a Lodge, and if the Master, through his exer- 
tions as teacher and governor, sees these results of his care, 
the consciousness of it is a reward richer than the diamond 
mines of Golconda. 

The wages of the Model Master are abundant, if his con- 



108 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER S 

science approves his year's work. Upon setting out lie made 
the following covenant with himself. 

1. That I will perform all my official duties as between my- 
self and my conscience, being guided therein by my Installa- 
tion Covenant." — Have you done this? then the approbation 
of a good conscience is the very voice of God whispering in 
your heart. 

" 2. That I will rule my Lodge without fear, favor, or hope 
of reward, save the approbation of my conscience and of 
God." — Have you done this ? then the praises of your Brethren 
and the approbation of your Grand Lodge will be as sweet 
incense to you. 

" 3. That I will endeavor to allure my Brethren to attend 
all the meetings of the Lodge by the allurements of abundant 
Masonic instruction for their wages." 

" 4, That I will at all times and by all means seek for the 
aucient Work and Lectures of Masonry, and be satisfied with 
nothing less." 

" 5. That the distressed, worthy Brother shall never go away 
disappointed from the door of my Lodge, if in my power to 
aid him." 

"6. That I will strive in knowledge, charity, truth, courte- 
sy, and love to be a model to my Brethren." 

" *1. That the evil doer under my jurisdiction shall have no 
rest until he reforms or is cut off." 

" 8. That the officers under me shall each acquire and per- 



SPECIAL HELP. 109 

form his duties accurately and thoroughly according to his 
Installation Covenant." 

u 9. That my Lodge shall have honor and respect among its 
fellows." 

In summing up, by these tables, your year's work as Master, 
your reward is in every memory of duty done. Every Brother, 
allured to come to the Lodge where he has learned to subdue 
his passions and improve himself in Masonry ; every acquisit- 
ion made by yourself in the ancient and genuine Rituals ; 
every distressed Brother relieved ; every evil doer reformed or 
cut off; every improvement made by the officers under you, 
whereby they have been made worthy to take in turn the 
gavel of Master, that so the good work may go on ; and every 
indication of honor and respect paid to your Lodge by other 
Lodges around you ; each of these is a unit in the aggregate 
sum of your reward. To know, too, that the year of your 
administration will be remembered as " the bright particular 
year" in the history of the Lodge ; that your name will be 
marked with honor among; the Past Masters; that in the 
Grand Lodge you will be deemed the representative of the 
best knowledge and zeal of your Lodge, and that when the 
acacia blooms above your your name and labors will be grate- 
fully cherished there — these are wages ample and rich to 
reward you for all that you have done. 

So intimately connected with the <( Master's Wages" is the 
" Wages of the Craft," that we add the following lines as a 
fitting close to the Chapter, 



110 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER^ 

CORN, WINE, OIL. 

They come from many a pleasant home, — 
To do the Ancient Work they come 

With cheerful hearts and light ; 
They leave the world without, a space, 
And gathering here in secret place 

They spend the social night ; 
They earn the meed of honest toil, 
Wages of Corn and Wine and Oil. 

Upon the sacred Altar lies, 
Ah, many a precious sacrifice 

Made by these working men ; 
The passions curbed, the lusts restrained, 
And hands with human gore unstained, 

And hearts from envy clean ; 
They earn the meed of honest toil, 
Wages of Corn and Wine and Oil. 

They do the deeds their Master did ; 

The naked clothe, the hungry feed— 

They warm the shivering poor : 

They wipe from fevered eyes the tear; 

A Brother's joys and griefs they share, 

As One had done before ; 
They earn the meed of honest toil, 

Wases of Corn and Wine and Oil. 



SPECIAL HELP. 

Then pay these men their just desert ! 
Let none dissatisfied, depart, 

But give them full reward ; 
Give Light, that longing eyes may see ; 
Give Truth, that will from error free ; 

Give them to know the Lord : — 
Give them the meed of honest toil, 
Wages of Corn and Wine and Oil. 

Show them how Masons, Masons know, 
The land of strangers journeying through ; 

Show them how Masons love ; 
And let admiring spirits see 
How reaches Masons' charity 

From earth to heaven above ; 
Give them the meed of honest toil, 
Wages of Corn and Wine and Oil. 

Then will each Brother's tongue declare 
How bounteous his Wages are, 

And Peace will reign within ; 
Your walls with skillful hands will grow, 
And coming generations know 

Your Temple is Divine ; 
Then give the meed of honest toil, 
Wages of Corn and Wine and Oil 



in 



112 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER^ 

THE LODGE ROOM AND ITS FURNISHING. 

The diagram and accompanying letter-press of a Lodge room 
will be found convenient to the Master in improving the ap- 
pearance or increasing the work-facilities of his Lodge. When 
a Lodge-room is properly fitted up, the visitor entering at "13" 
sees the Junior Deacon immediately at his left hand. Beyond 
the Junior Deacon, and directly over his head the graceful 
ornamental tops of the elegant Pillars J. andB., are to be seen 
in range. Conspicuously displayed over the Master's chair is 
the Letter G. A handsome Altar, properly surmounted, rises 
before him. Over his left shoulder he sees the Senior War- 
den sitting on his two-graded dais, a small table or pedestal on 
his right. On the right of the visitor, and at the centre of the 
south wall of the apartment, sits the Junior Warden, a small 
table or pedestal on his right. On a commanding place over 
the Treasurer's head hangs the Emblematic Carpet. On a 
commanding place beyond the Secretary, rise the shelves of 
the Lodge-library. The tout ensemble is elegant and instructive 



SPECIAL HELP. 
DIAGRAM. 



113 




114 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER'S 

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE ON THE LAST PAGE.* 

No. 1. Station of the Master, usually termed ilte Dais. — This 
is reached by an ascent of three steps. On his right and a little 
in front, is a small table holding the Gavel, etc. On his right 
and in line with his chair are seats for 4, 6, 8, or even more 
Past Masters, as the space may warrant. 

No. 2. Station of the Senior Warden. — This is reached by an 
ascent of two steps. On his right and a little in front is a 
small table holding the Gavel, Column, etc. There is room on 
this platform for his own seat only. 

No. 8. Station of the Junior Warden. — This is reached by an 
ascent of one step. On his right and a little in front is a 
small table holding the Gavel, Column, etc. There is room on 
his platform for his own seat only. 



* When the fraternity are about to erect a Masonic Hall of 
their own, it is inexcusable not to arrange the entrances, etc., 
according to the proper system. Then the Tyler's door is on 
the Senior Warden's right, and the door of the Preparation 
Room on his left, all the other details corresponding. But 
where the fraternity are compelled, as is most frequently the 
case, to rent and fit up an apartment already built, they must 
do the best in regard to their entrances, they can, and the 
work of the Lodge must conform to that necessity. Thus it 
often hapens that the Master's station, which is alicays tlie 
Masonic East of tlie Lodge, does not correspond with the mag- 
netic east, and the Tyler's door is near the S. E., N. W., or 
some other corner of the room. 



SPECIAL HELP, 115 

No. 4. Station of the Treasurer* — Before him is a table 
supplied with stationery. 

No. 5. Station of the Secretary .* — Before him and at his left 
hand and rear, are all necessary desks with drawers and com- 
partments for his books, papers, seal-press, and the Lodge 
Library. 

No. 6. The Chair of tlte Senior Deacon. — Nearly in a line 
between the N. E. and S. W. corners of the room, Upon the 
chair are rings or catchers by which bis rod can be held 
upright when not in use. 

No. 7. The Chair of the Junior Deacon.\ — This is arranged 
to hold his rod in the same manner as that of the Senior 
Deacon. 

No. 8. The Altar. — The lesser lights are not shown in the 
figure, ^because there is no specific rule for placing them. 
Perhaps the best positi&n for them is pendant immediately 
above the Altar. 



* The portions of the eastern platform, or Dais, on which the 
Treasurer and Secretary sit, are not elevated so high as that 
on which the Master's chair is placed, nor quite so high as the 
platform of the Junior Warden. It is of medium height be- 
tween the latter and the raised platform running round the 
room on wiiich the private brothers sit. 

\ This is located in the figure upon the supposition that the 
entrances to the Lodge are correctly given. If not, then the 
Junior Deacon must change the position of his seat to corres- 
pond with that of the Tyler's door. 



H6 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER'S 

No. 9. The Pillar J* 

No. 10. The Pillar B. 

■.*■■ 
Nos. 11 and 12. The Stoves. — These should be removed from 

the apartment in warm weather. 

No. IS. The Tyler's Boor of Entrance. 

No. 14. Candidates' Door of Entrance. 

Nos. 15, 15, 15, 15, 15, Seats of the Private Brethren. \ 

Many Lodges are provided with accommodation for two 
Stewards, who sit on the right and left and a little in front of 
the Junior Warden. Their places are marked A A. 

In the jurisdiction of the New York, and perhaps a few 
others, Lodges are provided with two Musters of Ceremonies, 
who sit on the right and left and a little in front of the Senior 
Warden. Their places are marked B B. 



* These are correctly called " Pillars," not " Columns." See 
1 Kings, VII. 21. The " Columns" are the small architectural 
objects used by the wardens to denote the condition of the 
craft, whether at labor or refreshment. 

It is a serious error to place these Pillars anywhere save by 
the entrance to the Preparation Room. 

fit is an excellent arrangement to have these seats upon 
platforms elevated about 6 or 8 inches above the floor ; not 
quite so high as that on which the Secretary and Treasurer sit. 



SPECIAL HELP. 117 

In the jurisdiction of Canada and all others practising the 
English Work,* the last Past Master is provided with a seat of 
honor, and takes a positive part in the ceremonies. He sits 
on the left and a little in front of the Master, his place being 
opposite tha£ of the Senior Deacon who is on the right. \ This 
is marked C. 

The best place to hang Sherer's Carpet, if you have one, is 
on the wall on the right of the Treasurer.;): There it should 
be protected from dust and light during the intervals between 
the meetings, by a thick screen of cloth or Avail paper. 

On the lower step of the Dais, on the Master's right and left, 
should be seen the two Ashlars, the Rough on the right, the 
Perfect on the left. These are almost indispensable in a 



*It often happens that brethren from England, Canada, etc., 
fail to gain admission into our Lodges, because they seem un- 
able to "pass an examination." This is not often their 
fault ; nor does it argue their ignorance. Their work, espe- 
cially their mode of examination, is essentially different from 
ours, and every American Lodge ought to be instructed under 
the authority of its Grand Lodge, what is the proper form of 
examination for brethren from those jurisdictions. 

| The terms right and left are used in relation to the officer 
with whose names they are associated. In designating the 
right and left of King Solomon's Temple, the observer is sup- 
posed to be looking Eastward, having the South on his right. 

|Bro. John Sherer, the veteran Masonic symbolist, whose 
labors in that department give him the title of a Masonic 
benefactor, has recently prepared the emblems and published 
them in better form than the gigantic and unwieldly charts so 
long in vogue. This is not the place to describe the great 
improvements he has made. 



118 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTERS 

Lodge. Upon the former, the three emblems, representing 
Freedom, Fervency and Zeal are placed. 

The ballot-box, that iEgis of Masonic protection, is best 
kept under the Treasurer's desk. The Working Tools should 
lie on the lower step of the Dais, near the rough Ashlar. 

Having thus sketched the more common arrangements of 
the room, we give a word of directions regarding the Tyler's 
room. This should be supplied with racks for hats and coats, 
a store for cold weather, water, and a good number of seats 
for visiting brethren and members of the Lodge while awaiting 
permission to enter. A copy of the Holy Scriptures is a ne- 
cessary part of the Tyler's furniture. A Record Book for 
visiting brothers ; a copy of the Lodge By-laws, and catalogues 
of Lodges in your own State and other States, will be found 
convenient. Finally, a few toilet articles will not be amiss to 
tbose who wish to show as much respect for a Masonic Lodge 
as they would to a church.* 



* In many of the Canada Lodges the brethren make it a 
point to attend dressed in white cravats, dress coats, etc., as 
scrupulously as though they were going to a ball. Is not this 
creditable to them ? 



SPECIAL HELP. 119 



LIST OF GRAND MASTERS. 

The following catalogue of Grand Masters is corrected up to 
March 1866. So many Masters of Lodges are in the pleasent 
habit of corresponding with these dignitaries on questions of a 
Masonic character that we deem it to be an acceptable addi- 
tion to the " Special Help." 

Alabama, WILSON WILLIAMS. 

California, G. B. CLAIBORNE. 

Canada, Wm. B. SIMPSON, Kingston. 

Colorado, ANDREW MASON. 

Connecticut, ELI S. QUINT ARD. 

Delaware, JOHN A. NICHOLSON, Dover, 

District of Columbia, GEO. C. WHITING. 

England, The EARL OF ZETLAND. 

Florida, SAMUEL BENEZET, Tallahassee. 

Georgia., JOHN HARRIS. 

Illinois, H. P. H. BROMWELL. 

Indiana, H. G. HAZELRIGG, Lebanon. 

Iowa, EDWARD A. GUILBERT, Dubuque. 

Ireland, The DUKE OF LEINSTER. 

Kansas, JACOB SAQUI, Leavenworth. 

Kentucky, M. J. WILLIAMS. 

Louisiana, J. Q. A. FELLOWS, New Orleans. 

Maine, Wm. P. PREBLE, Portland. 

Maryland, JOHN COATES, Baltimore, 



120 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTERS 

Massachusetts, CHARLES 0. DAME, Boston: 

Michigan, S. C. COFJFINBURY, Const antine. 

Mississippi, W. S. PATTON. 

Missouri, JOHN F. HOUSTON, Richmond. 

Nebraska, R. W. FURNAS. 

Nevada, JOSEPH DE BELL. 

New Hampshire, J. EVERETT SARGENT. 

New Jersey, Wm. J. WHITEHEAD, Newark. 

New York, ROBERT D. HOLMES, New York. 

North Carolina, JOHN McCORMICK. 

Ohio, THOMAS SPARRRW, Columbus. 

Oregon, S. F. CHADWICK. 

Pennsylvania, LUCIUS H. SCOTT, Philadelphia. 

Rhode Island, THOMAS A. DOYLE, Providence. 

Scotland, J. VVHYTE MELVILLE. 

South Carolina, JAMES L. ORR. 

Tennessee, THOMAS A. HAMILTON, Memphis. 

Texas, R. M. ELGIN. 

Vermont, L. B. ENGLESBY, Burlington. 

Washington Territory, ASA L. BROWN. 

West Virginia, W. J. BATES. 

Wisconsin, JOHN T. WENTWORTH. * 

*As the Post Office address of many of these names is omit- 
ted, it will usually suffice to d'rect a letter to the Grand Master 
by name, adding " Care of the Grand Secretary, Grand Lodge 

of Freemasons, of the State of ," and sending it, thus 

directed, to the seat of Government of the State. 



SPECIAL HELP. 121 



FAREWELL. 

And now Worshipful Brother, faiewell. Having gone with 
you, bit by bit, through all the details of your official duty, 
having advised, warned, and rebuked with the freedom of the 
editorial pen, let us, in the loving spirit of the Past Master, 
wish that you maybe one of the "Ghiblim," indeed, a " Stone 
Square r," in whom there is no defect ; and whose wages shall 
be the love and gratitude of his fellows, and the evident ap- 
proval of the Grand Overseer ! 



So mote it be with us when life shall end, 

And from the East, the Lord of Light shall bend, 

And we, our six days' labor fully done, 

Shall claim our wages at the Master's throne. 

So Mote it be with us : that when the Square, 
That perfect implement, with heavenly care, 
Shall be applied to every block we bring, 
No fault shall see our Master and our King. 

So mote it be with us ; that though our days 
Have yielded little to the Master's praise, 
The little we have builded may be proved 
To have the marks our first Grand Master loved. 



122 THE WORSHIPFUL MASTER'S 

So mote it be with us : we are but weak ; 
Our days are few ; our trials who can speak ! 
But sweet is our communion while we live, 
And rich rewards the Master deigns to give. 

Let's toil then, cheerfully, let's die in hope ; 
The Wall in wondrous grandeur riseth up ; 
They who come after shall the work complete, 
And they and we receive the wages meet. 



SPECIAL HELP. 123 

THE FIVE POINTS OF FELLOWSHIP. 

The following, from a publication of 1826, is a golden frag- 
ment : 

"When the necessities of a Brother call for my aid and sup- 
port, I will be ready to render him such assistance to save him 
from sinking, as may not be detrimental to myself or connex- 
ions, if I find him worthy thereof. 

Indolence shall not cause my footsteps to halt nor wrath 
turn them aside ; but forgetting every self consideration, I 
will be ever swift of foot to serve, help, an execute benevo. 
lence to a fellow-creature in distress; and more particularly to 
a Brother Mason. 

When I offer up my ejaculations to Almighty God, a Broth- 
er's welfare will I remember as my own ; for as the voice of 
babes and sucklings ascends to the throne of grace, so most 
assuredly do the breathings of a fervent heart arise to the 
mansions of bliss, as our prayers are certainly required of 
each other. 

A Brother's secrets delivered to me as such, I will keep as I 
would my own ; as betraying my trust might be doing him the 
greatest injury he could sustain in this mortal life ; nay, it 
would be like the villainy of an assassin, who lurks in dark- 
ness to stab his adversary. 

A Brother's character I will support in his absence as I 
would in his presence ; I will not wrongfully revile him myself, 
nor will I suffer it to be done by other's, if in my power to 
prevent it. 

Thus, by the Five Points of Fellowship, are we linked to- 
gether in one indivisible chain of sincere affection, brotherly 
love, relief, and truth," 



i 



I N I) E X 



Page. 

Auxiliaries of Lodge-work,. , -. 15 

Agenda Paper, of G. L. of England, 58 

Altar, ludicrous description, »...., 1-7 

Aged, respect due them, 87 

Bible, divinely inculcated, 9 

Burial, Masonic, 69 

Banquets, Masonic,. ...,..., 73 

Charter the, in Master's keeping, 11 

Catechetical, the true form of lecturing, 45, 46 

Cross-examination of witnesses, 95 

Cornerstone planting, <■ " 72 

Carpeting an essential thing, 80 

Customs local, their prevalence, 22 

Dignity aud Tact highly desirable, * 36 

Dignity and Tact, rules for acquiring, 39 

Dispensing Light, v • » 42 

Dispensing Light, rules for, 43 

Diary, the Master's,. « . 26 

Demitted the, 101 

Drama Masonic, its sublimity, 53 

Discipline Masonic, .90, 91, 93 

Debts, Caution against incurring, 25, 102 

Examination Strict, its meaning, 31 

Essays Monthly recommended, 50 

Elections semi-annual bad practice, .,,%•«. 5 



INDEX, 125 

Emblems, the seven in the Master's hands, , 8 

Electioneering for office, 24, 55 

Funerals Masonic, rules for 70 

Furniture Lodge, elaborate description, 76 

Festivals Masonic, how conducted, 73 

Fence-Corner tribunals, 93 

Fellowship, Five Points of, , 123 

Gentleness and Suavity recommended, * ^ 22 

Harness, getting into the, . — 15 

Halls, caution against building, 15, 20 

Haughtiness and Tyranny to be avoided, 23 

Imposters, to be abhorred, 65 

Indictment Masonic form of, 93 

Indictment Masonic, to be brought by J. W., 93 

Incidents relative to Lodge-fitting, ... ........ 16 

u illustrating Dignity and Tact, 36 

" poorly-fitted Hall, ,76 

" " the Master's wages, 107 

u " punctuality,... 29 

Law Moral, is the Holy Scriptures, 6 

Lodge Grand, its proceedings to be preserved, 20, 51 

" " how to procure them, 21 

" " to be expounded, 51 

attendance upon, 56 

pleasures of attending, 59, 61 

" local observances of, 62 

" Constitution, its importance, 58 

Lodge, Opening and Closing,. 27 

Lodge-room and its furnishing, 112 

Lodge-room, Diagram of, , 113 

Legislation Masonic, confined to Masonic matters, 6 

Library Masonic, 80 

Libertine irreligious, definition of, 91 



126 INDEX. 

Landmarks Ancient, G. L. cannot change,. , -» 59 

Landmarks Ancient, Master versed in them, 66 

Melodeon, 81 

Music Lodge, its ancient importance, 81 

Mediation between contending parties, 92 

Master Grand, supposed to be well-instructed, 23 

Master Grand, is to be appealed to, 23 

Master, in line of succession to be G. M 34 

Master, description of an excellent, 49 

Master, fifteen rules for testing, 62 

Master, his wages, , 106 

Monitor, not to be used in the Lodge, 47 

Marshal, importance of the appointment, 71 

Objects of Masonry, 84 

Offenses Masonic, trials for 90 

Offenses, classes of, 91 

Offenses, Forms for charges, 93 

Offenses, Forms of trial, 93 

Opening and Closing the experinientum crucis, 27 

Opening, preparations for, 28 

Punctuality, its importance, 28, 35 

Purging the Lodge, its importance 31 

Poetical Illustrations, .41, 55, 67, 75, 82, 89, 110 121 

Publicity Masonic, 54, 68 

Pillars Lodge, how to make them,. .. .- 79 

Keligious Exercises, '. .... 32 

Superiors Masonic, to be respected, 65 

Summons Due, description of 7 

Sun the, a pattern of imitation, 10 

Secretary, theory of duty, 99 

Synopsis of Master's Covenants, 5 

Secretary, his standing orders, 24 

Secretary, his books, etc., to be examined, 25 



INDEX. 127 

Secretary, fittings of his desk, etc., 16 

School of Instruction recommended, 51 

School of Instruction, rules for, 52 

Scope for the Master, 49 

Tools Masonic, to be approved by G. L , 59 

Trial Due, its meaning, 31 

Trestle-board the, of the Master, 5, 11,13, 108 

Tact and Dignity, how desirable, 36 

Tyler's Room, its fittings, 15 

Treasurer's Station, its fittings, , 16 

Visitors, Conditions of their entrance, 8 

Visitors, Trial and Examination, . 31 

Visitors, true reception of 33 

Visitors, their examination methodical, 47 

Vitalizing the Lodge, 83 

Vitalizing the Lodge, rules for,. 87 

Vouching, true laws of 32 

Webb, Thos. S., the Model Master of this century,. . . . . 29 

Wages of the Craft, 34, 109 

Wages of the Master,.. 106 

Wardens' Stations, their fittings, 16 



BAILEY'S 

SERIES OF PRACTICAL MASONRY. 



-^M- 



The Undersigned, being long established as a Publisher in 
the City of Chicago, Illinois, has opened a depot of Masonic 
Literature, and commenced to issue a series of practical works 
adapted to the present wants of the Masonic Brethren at large. 
He asks only such a patronage as the character of his publi- 
cations merits. 

His present publications are : 

1. THE SENIOR DEACON'S SPECIAL HELP $1.00 

2. THE SECRETARY'S SPECIAL HELP 1.00 

3. THE W. MASTER'S SPECIAL HELP.. ........... 1.00 

4. THE ROSARY OF THE EASTERN STAR 1.00 

5. THE GUIDE TO HIGH PRIESTS 30 

f». THE MINIATURE MONITOR, Now in its 17th Ed.. . .50 
1. THE VOICE OF MASONRY. A Monthly or 48 pp 

Per annum * . . -. 2.00 

8. MASONIC ARCHIVES. A Series of Blanks, per set. 6.00 
He is Sole Agent in the Northwest for Sherer's Publications, 
viz : 

1. MASONIC DEGREE BOOK ... . .$20.00 

2. MASONIC LADDER, (postage added 20 cents) 1.50 

3. WEBB'S FREEMASON'S MONITOR, (postage add- 

ed 20 cents) 1.50 

4. GEMS OF MASONRY 1.00 

In addition to the above, he is prepared to furnish, at whole- 
sale or retail, all Masonic Publications in the market, together 
with every description of Masonic Regalia, Furniture and 
Paraphernalia, . Send for a Catalogue. 

J. C. W. BAILEY, 

162 & 164 Clark St., Chicago, III. 



